No plea deal for woman accused of being part of one of Southwest Florida’s largest drug rings

Author: Jillian Haggerty Writer: Carolina Guzman
Published: Updated:
Melissa Cossio Credit: The Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Melissa Cossio‘s defense attorney did not accept a plea deal on her behalf on Monday. If Michael Colombo had accepted, she would have received 12 months probation.

“What we would do is we would forfeit going forward with any other portion of the case, the motions, things of that nature. Now, we continue to go forward. It’s pretty clear that the court wants to accept something within guidelines, and the court has the discretion to do that,” Colombo added.

Cossio is accused of being involved in one of the largest drug rings in Southwest Florida.

The 36-year-old was arrested in 2021, along with several family members. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said they trafficked cocaine and fentanyl in the Gateway area.

At the time, investigators conducted surveillance on the Cossio residence, conducted traffic stops, and served several search warrants due to the investigation.

Investigators were also spotted at CLB Autobody & Paint on Evans Avenue in Fort Myers, which Sheriff Carmine Marceno said was connected to the operation.

LCSO recovered more than $1 million in cash, 12 firearms, and multiple kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl.

Lee County Circuit Judge Robert Branning wanted to schedule Cossio’s trial for June 27, 2024, but the defense attorney stated he did not believe he would be ready.

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