ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida man faces life in prison for charges filed in a criminal complaint by U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg stemming from an investigation for possession with intent to distribute narcotics and firearms related charges.
A joint investigation into George Andrew Pherai-Bogeajis, 35, of Orlando, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Orlando, the Orlando Police Department, the Ocoee Police Department, the Oviedo Police Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol and U.S. Customs Border Protection, seized 150 pounds of methamphetamine, multiple kilograms of other drugs, including fentanyl, multiple firearms and $700,000 in cash.
According to court documents, a federal search warrant was executed on April 9 at two residences — one in Orlando and one in Ocoee — used by Pherai-Bogeajis. At the Orlando residence, DEA agents located approximately 150 pounds of methamphetamine and over 100,000 pressed pills in the garage. In Pherai-Bogeajis’ bedroom, agents recovered 3 kilograms of cocaine. They also found four firearms and over $700,000 in drug proceeds.
At the residence in Ocoee, agents found several thousand pressed pills, 10 kilograms of marijuana and two vehicles with hidden compartments commonly used for concealing narcotics. Pherai-Bogeajis was not present at either premises but was later apprehended and is now in federal custody.
A criminal complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana E. Hill will prosecute the case.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.