Felons, drugs and guns found in store near school

Ten convicted felons were arrested and scores of guns and drugs were seized during a six-month long operation focused on a consignment store across the street from a Tampa-area elementary school.

Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee announced the arrests Tuesday.

The Tampa Tribune (http://bit.ly/RZ0btw) reports that the drug and gun transactions took place less than 175 feet away from the school, typically after school hours.

During the operation, 34 firearms and 49 silencers were sold to undercover detectives.

Officials said the guns removed from the streets include an AR-15, an AK-47-style rifle, a .22-caliber rifle with a silencer, sawed-off shotguns and sniper-type rifles with night vision.

Detectives also purchased trafficking amounts of narcotics, crack cocaine and methamphetamines.