Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Zecki Halum, 40, from Tampa, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana. Halum faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Details of the Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
According to the plea agreement, in August 2009, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) received intelligence indicating that a recreational vehicle (RV) would be used to transport approximately 200 pounds of marijuana from Arizona to the Middle District of Florida.
DEA agents tracked the RV as Halum’s co-conspirator, Dale Wetherholt, drove it to Florida. Upon Wetherholt’s arrival in Tampa, he was met by another vehicle driven by a co-conspirator, with Halum in the passenger seat. The group then traveled together, first to a convenience store parking lot and later to a church parking lot in Crystal Springs, where they planned to unload the marijuana from the RV.
At this point, agents moved in and arrested Halum and his co-conspirators. A search of the RV revealed over 100 kilograms of marijuana, packaged in bales and wrapped in a manner consistent with drug trafficking.
Legal Proceedings and Arrest
Halum was indicted on September 23, 2009. In February 2010, he violated the conditions of his pretrial release and failed to appear for court, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. Halum remained a fugitive until his arrest on March 29, 2024.
Dale Wetherholt, Halum’s co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to the same offense on November 12, 2009. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on April 30, 2010.
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The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jeff Chang and Kelley Howard Allen.
