Florida: Pizzeria Managers Busted For Drugs Under ‘Operation Special Toppings’
Apparently, you could have gone to Pizzano’s Pizza in Lake Wales for more than just a large pizza. Two managers at a pizzeria were busted for selling drugs here under an investigation cleverly titled, “Operation Special Toppings.”
Tampa’s News Channel 8 reported that local authorities began investigating this suspicious activity in April. Leon Griffith was the first manager investigated. “During the investigation, a detective called the restaurant, located at 1326 East State Road 60, and asked for Griffith’s personal cellphone number,” New Channel 8 states.
This was the beginning of what ultimately led authorities to discover that the information they had been receiving about illegal activity taking place at Pizzano’s, was true. Griffith made arrangements to sell marijuana to the detective. Then, they would meet again, and this time, it would be for even more drugs. The detective purchased Xanax, Adderall, and cocaine from Griffith.
“Once the sale was complete, Griffith was arrested and Pizzano’s was searched,” News Channel 8 proceeds.
Special Toppings
The mission was named “Operation Special Toppings” by the Lake Wales police. Their diligence then led to a second arrest. Upon searching Pizzano’s officers found another batch of drugs in the bag of another manager, Hailee Sullivan. As a result, Sullivan was also arrested.
News of this surprising scene made quite a buzz with these two managers being busted for selling drugs at the pizzeria. Local TV outlets were onsite and even had the chance to speak with Pizzano’s owner, Larry Howell.
During interviews captured on video, Howell assured that he would be more involved with the restaurant’s operation. He allegedly had no participation or awareness of the drug activity taking place at his establishment. Furthermore, he expressed his disappointment, given he thought he could trust the two managers who were caught. Howell was not arrested. Authorities are, however, further looking into the activity that transpired under “Operation Special Toppings.”
5 Tampa Comedy Shows Not To Miss
Bill Bellamy - July 7,8,9
Live from the Tampa Improv Comedy Theater, Bellamy will take over this entire weekend in July. On Friday and Saturday nights, he will perform two shows. He became well-known for his regular hosting duties on MTV and has since gone on to star in many TV series. Bellamy also has a podcast entitled “Top Billin’ with Bill Bellamy.”
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Pauly Shore - July 27, 28, 29
Shore takes over the Tampa comedy scene the last weekend of July. He will be performing at Side Splitters Comedy Club. He is touring in support of his “Stick with the Dancing: Funny Stories from my Childhood” one-man show. When he’s not touring, Shore can be found on his YouTube channel.
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Seth Meyers - August 10
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has an impressive events calendar all summer. August 10 needs to be circled as “Late Night” host Seth Meyers takes the stage. Meyers is only performing a handful of shows this summer, and this is his last date on the books for Florida.
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Steph Tolev - September 8, 9
Also at the Tampa Improv Comedy Theater, Tolev will be performing two dates. Both dates also offer an early and a late show. Originally from Canada, Tolev has a comedy album called I’m Not Well, and a podcast called “Steph Infection.” You can find her many sketch characters on her Instagram page.
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Jerry Seinfeld - September 28
Last but not least, some guy named Jerry. This comedic legend will also grace the Seminole Hard Rock stage as a lead-in to the last weekend of September. Though Seinfeld is touring major arenas this year, Tampa is his only Florida show.
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