By Matt Wiley
You never know what your neighbors are up to. As it turns out, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has made a major drug and weapons bust, right here in Wesley Chapel.
According to PCSO, during the past 14 months, deputies have been investigating Mark Eisenberg, 55, of 29341 Laughridge Pl. in Wesley Chapel. PCSO originally received a tip from a Pasco citizen in May of 2013, saying that there appeared to be a large amount of narcotics activity occurring at the home.
PCSO worked in collaboration with the Zephyrhills Police Department (ZPD) as more tips were received about drug activity at his home, as well as at Carpet Outlet (5527 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills), which he also owns. The two law enforcement agencies conducted undercover operations at each location, during which time it was witnessed that Eisenberg conducted his transactions while armed. Eisenberg also was witnessed exchanging narcotics for State-issued Food Stamp (EBT) cards.
The investigation began in September and wrapped up on July 25, when Eisenberg was arrested, along with his girlfriend Joyce Stafford, also of Wesley Chapel.
During the couple’s arrest, PCSO seized the following: approximately 47 firearms, three Rolex watches, miscellaneous documents, various gift cards, 12 Access State Benefit
Cards (EBT/Food Stamp cards issued to other persons not present), financial documents, jewelry, $3,300 in U.S. currency, a 1999 GMC van, a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado truck, 11.2 grams of Oxycodone, 33.1 grams of Hydrocodone, 4.3 grams of Hydromorphone (Dilaudid), 9.3 grams of Morphine, 0.6 grams of Clonazapam (Klonopin), 17.5 grams Propoxyphene (Propacet), 3.6 grams of Amphetamine (Adderall), 1.0 gram of Carisoprodol (Soma), 3.89 grams of Alprazolam (Xanax), and 191 grams of marijuana.
Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a July 29 press conference that Eisenberg would seek out addicts and drive them to doctor appointments that he scheduled and paid for, after which he would take a portion of the pills the doctor prescribed and sell them on the street, out of his car.
“Eisenberg had no problem sitting in the car with a child and selling prescription pills,” Nocco said. Investigators said that Eisenberg also bartered pills for the Food Stamp cards.
Nocco said that the investigation was sparked by a tip from a local business owner and ultimately led to the arrests.
“When you provide us a tip, it can lead to something,” Nocco said. “Your tips matter.”
Two children also were found in the home at the time of the raid, one of which was Eisenberg’s seven-year-old son, along with an eight-year-old relative. Both now are in state custody.
Deputies also found money and drugs buried in the ground at the residence and business.
Eisenberg is charged with Armed Trafficking Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Morphine, Possession with Intent to Sale Clonazapam, Propoxyphene, Amphetamines, Carisoprodol, Alprazolam, and Marijuana, and Battery on Law Enforcement Officers. Economic crimes detectives arrested Eisenberg for two counts of Possession of Personal Issued Identification based on the EBT cards discovered. He remains in custody at the Land O’Lakes Detention Center in lieu of a $674,000 bond.
Eisenberg will have to verify to a judge that any bond money he attempts to post is not money made from illegal drug sales.
Stafford was charged with Possession of Amphetamines, Possession of Marijuana (felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. She since has been released on a $7,150 bond.
No additional information was available at our press time and the investigation is ongoing.
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