$1 million in assets seized by Hernando deputies

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office announced Monday afternoon it had seized $1 million worth of assets following an elaborate, multi-agency, international investigation.

On March 03, 2011, the sheriff's office, along with the United States Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), executed a search warrant in the area of Ridge Manor. The DSS discovered passports for two deceased individuals had been obtained and used long after they had passed away, according to reports.

The investigation resulted in the arrest of two suspects for assuming false identities.

Further investigation revealed the two suspects had been involved in international money laundering and illegal narcotics activity, authorities said.

During the investigation, numerous items of contraband were seized by the sheriff's office, including two homes (one house had a secret room as well as an escape tunnel under construction), three vehicles, two custom-made motorcycles, two campers, a 47-foot yacht and cash.

The items accounted for nearly $1 million of the defendants' illegal proceeds. Two offshore bank accounts were also located in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. However, due to international banking laws, the remaining funds in those accounts could not be seized, deputies said.

Sheriff Al Nienhuis will hold a media conference at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, during which time he will provide more details, including the names of the suspects.