Millionaire one of dozens facing charges in drug probe

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 10, 2003

PENSACOLA, Fla. — A millionaire college benefactor was charged with drug trafficking in a state-federal investigation that also led to charges against about 40 other people.

Charles Switzer, a former Texaco executive, was charged with solicitation, conspiracy and drug trafficking. He serves on Pensacola Junior College’s board of governors and he and his family gave the college $1 million in 1998.

Switzer is accused of buying cocaine on more than one occasion, and state law enforcement agents say they overheard him describing himself as a "big-time drug dealer."

At least 32 people were taken into custody Tuesday and more arrests were expected. Eleven were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, and the others face various state drug-related charges.

Switzer, 54, has helped raise money for the University of West Florida, where he and his wife have endowed a business ethics scholarship.

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