polk county drug bust today

The investigation was focused on a drug trafficking ring that smuggled cocaine and meth from Mexico, according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release. Its complicated: Insurance commr on premium hikes, Lightnings season ends after OT loss to Maple Leafs, A look at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 NFL draft, Lightning fans kept hope alive during series against, Selmons legacy lives on through USF mentorship program, Steinbrenner HS senior trades sports for volunteering, How your electronics will be recycled after Shred-A-Thon, Millions exposed to life-shortening pollution: report, Arthur Jones, first Black USF student-athlete, honored. Violations may include the growing, manufacture, distribution or (Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. Approximately 2,500 Xanax pills seized (street value: approximately $25,000)TOTAL STREET VALUE: $53,854,640. A 6-month undercover sting, called Swipe Left for Meth, yielded more than 60 arrests, the agency said. POLK COUNTY, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) - Sheriff Grady Judd says their most recent drug bust resulted in the largest methamphetamine seizure in Polk County history. You can also watch a report by Spectrum Bay News 9's Ashonti Ford in the video above. [TRENDING: How much? The suspects have been charged with a combined 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors. What are the chances of a fourth stimulus check after Biden's address to Congress? RELATED: Stepfather of boy rescued from abuse by Orlando restaurant manager gets life sentence. 5 suspects arrested This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Judd said 85 people were arrested as a result of the investigation and authorities seized 268 pounds of methamphetamine and 6.8 ounces of fentanyl. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says the trafficking of drugs was masterminded by a man behind bars. There were also 49 firearms seized and all kinds of other assorted drugs and pills worth $12.8 million, the sheriff said. The Sheriff's Office learned that Brian Stanton, an inmate at United States Penitentiary Atlanta, was directing the sale and delivery of meth in Polk County, the release said. Read More. According to the sheriffs office, 24 pounds of THC edibles, 2.4 pounds of marijuana and a pound of methamphetamine were found at the Winter Haven home. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. Police say they seized: 268 pounds of Methamphetamine ($9,725,040 street value) 31 pounds of Cocaine ($1,405,337 street value) 180 pounds of Cannabis ($1,628,357 Information uncovered during her arrest also led investigators to the location of methamphetamine conversion labs, additional arrests, the discovery of more than a dozen firearms, and the seizure of 1,416 pounds of crystalized and liquid meth. Find out who's a rat by searching our snitch list containing information about known confidential informants, state's witnesses, and other snitches from our database. Members of HSI in Atlanta and Tampa, U.S. Border Patrol and the Snellville Police Department in Georgia stood behind Judd at Thursdays news conference. Illegal drugs destroy lives and families, and generate theft and violence in our community, and drug traffickers are profiting from the destruction. Were not dealing with people that are low level and nonviolent people, he said. Possession of marijuana resin (edibles) (F3) Investigators also seized 20 guns, three of which were reported as stolen, the release said. Meers' arrest led investigators to the location of 3 methamphetamine conversion labs in Georgia. This time, leading investigators to the United States Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta where 37-year-old Brian Staton, known as "Lil B" was being held. The wiretap led to 14 search warrants in Auburndale, Davenport, Polk City, Lake Wales, Winter Havenand Riverview, as well as in Fresno, California. Sheriff Grady Judd said surveillance video from the gas station showed people in masks running up to the totaled vehicle and grabbing items from the car's trunk before deputies arrived at the scene. On Tuesday, detectives searched another one of his residences, 2245 5thSt.NE in Winter Haven, and found large amounts of illegal narcotics, along with scales and paraphernalia, and two firearms a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm handgun. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. They use violence as a means to enforce their trafficking business. Only a portion of the seized drugs would have been sold on the street in Polk County, and the rest would have been distributed through the country, he said. The street value on all of this is $54 million dollars@PolkCoSheriff on the largest drug bust Polk County has ever seen. Meers' previous criminal history includes 22 arrests in Georgia to include charges of drug trafficking, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, DUI, battery, theft, fraud, giving a false name to a law enforcement officer, and multiple probation violations. Citizens Insurance customer left confused, frustrated after new flood insurance policy, FHP: 1 dead, 2 in the hospital after crash in Manatee County, 10 Weather: Sunny skies and nice temperatures this week, Tornado watch over for parts of Tampa Bay area. When deputies arrested Cayson, they found 2.4 pounds of marijuana, 24 pounds of edible THC-infused products and one pound of methamphetamine, the release said. PCSO undercover detectives conducted a controlled delivery at 3237 Xerxes Avenue NW in Winter Haven and arrested37-year-old Amber Cayson of Winter Haven. Judd said that among the suspects arrested were 690 felony previous charges, and 194 previous convictions. Officials say they recovered Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. She is currently in the Polk County Jail with no bond. )], Judd said the investigation began in September 2020 when the sheriffs office received information a family in Winter Haven, identified as the Jefferson family, was smuggling large amounts of drugs into Florida from Mexico through California and then to the streets of Central Florida.. Updated: Aug 20, 2022 / 01:55 PM CDT. HSI investigators have associated this illegal drug trafficking organization with the Juarez Mexican Cartel, a brutally violent cartel known for its targeted executions and violence. "They didnt as so much as throw a pair of underwear in the suitcase to act like they were hiding the drugs," Judd said in a Friday morning press conference. But Meers visited a psychic who warned her that it wasnt a good time to travel to Florida, Judd said. Federal agents seized a parcel containing about 2,500 generic Xanax pills, PCSO said. The Sheriff's Office said Ornelas-Loza and Ornelas-Martinez are related, though their exact relationship wasn't known. LAKELAND (FOX 13) - The Polk county sheriff says for almost 15 years, a cocaine dealer dodged law enforcement while living the high life. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Within minutes of the wiretap starting, Judd said detectives heard chatter about an unsolved homicide that the Winter Haven Police Departmentis investigating. All rights reserved. Through our partnership with Homeland Security and law enforcement agencies in Florida and Georgia, our detectives took a huge amount of meth off the street and shut down an active drug trafficker operating out of a federal prison.. The operation also involved the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, the Sumter County Sheriffs Office and seven law-enforcement departments in Georgia, the PCSO said. 20 firearms seized (3 were reported as stolen) Authorities said they executed a search warrant at Lewis home on Nov. 23. ", "Can y'all make a rap about this?" Instead of it being delivered by mail, undercover deputies instead paid her a visit for controlled delivery of the drug. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Atlanta is the southeastern hub for meth trafficking, Judd said. The others arrested so far are Crescencio Ornelas-Loza, 30, of Fairburn, Georgia; and Luis Ornelas-Martinez, 50, of Stockbridge, Georgia. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. One of the suspects, 34-year-old James McClain, reportedly sold methamphetamine that was dyed blue. Judd said Samuel was usinga forged Georgia drivers license to evade law enforcement and travel between Florida and California. On April 20, detectives conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 27 in Davenport as Stackhouse was traveling from Orlando. Deputies said Radina had 12 grams of fentanyl on her when she was arrested. Deputies said Kevin Mason, 54, of Lakeland showed up to the residence on a bicycle, and told a detective he was there to purchase $100 worth of narcotics. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (F1) POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A 9-month long wiretap investigation helped lead to the arrest of over 70 suspects on drug charges in Polk County. The suspects previous criminal histories, he said, include 690 previous felonies, 712 previous misdemeanors, and 194 felony convictions. Judd appeared with State Attorney Brian Haas and representatives from the U.S. Border Patrol, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Winter Haven Police Department and the Osceola County Sheriffs Office to detail the results of a drug sting investigation that included the use of wiretaps for what Judd said was a ring that ran from Mexico to Los Angeles and Fresno, California, and then arriving to Central Florida through domestic flights to Orlando International Airport. His current sentence runs through 2040. Lenard Henderson, 42: Judd said Henderson was a large-scale cocaine supplier and a "ringleader." These drug dealers have blood on their hands. Man killed by Lake Wales police after fatally shooting K-9, Winter Haven man told 911 dispatcher he shot his father, PCSO says, Haines City Police officer recovering after beingshot during a traffic stop Sunday, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Inside the residence, authorities found 2 adult females and A two-year investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies resulted in 85 arrests and the seizure of more than $12.8 million worth of drugs, More on @BN9 pic.twitter.com/regN22z8G8. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Press Release. The same day, detectives conducted a traffic stop and arrested Samuel on his two active warrants in Florida. We seized 20 firearms during this investigation, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and three stolen guns. On one occasion on one airline, six suitcases with this drug was smuggled into Orlando. 43-year-old Jennifer Meerswho resides at467 Allana Court, Stone Mountain, Georgia. Over the weekend, Polk County Police Officer Howard of the Uniformed Patrol Division was Stackhouse was released from jail on May 31, after posting bond in the amount of $116,250, and a GPS ankle monitor was placed on him. About - Abuse - Contact Us - Disclaimers - Donate - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use -, 2020-2021 - Cop Blaster: Police Misconduct Reporting & Monitoring -, The Future of Law Enforcement Accountability, Jonathan Mcmillen-Memphis Informant-Snitch- Lil Wyte Affiliate, Sue Your Snitch! Undercover officers then arranged to buy meth, which would be shipped from Georgia to Polk County. Brenda Argueta is a digital journalist who joined ClickOrlando.com in March 2021. They make money off the misery of others. A fourth, 1140 Dugdown Road, was listed in Buchanan. When they retrieved the narcotics from Meers' truck, they found luggage with 16 vacuum sealed bags containing approximately 35 pounds of methamphetamine. He lives in Riverview, but undercover detectives purchased drugs from him in Winter Haven, officials said. Trafficking in methamphetamine (F1) "You can go ahead and turn yourself in or you can go to jail tired from running, but you're gonna go to jail," Sheriff Grady Judd said of the three suspects who are still at large, identified as 49-year-old Angela Dunklebarger of Lake Wales, 37-year-old Tavoris Jones of Lake Wales, and 37-year-old Reginald Phillips of Dundee. He said the traffickers hoped to establish a presence in Polk County. They said Radinas criminal history includes a federal charge for drug trafficking in Maryland, and four other drug trafficking arrests in Maryland and New York. Meers is said to have just been released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence for drug trafficking and is currently on federal probation. Learn More. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, along with Department of Homeland Security investigators from Tampa and Atlanta, the Haines City Police Department, and Georgia law enforcement agencies, held a news conference Thursday to discuss the investigation. The 85 arrests involved 355 combined felonies and 93 misdemeanors in a case centered on drug trafficking in the area around Winter Haven, Florida, authorities said. The Polk Sheriffs Office heads the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, which includes local police agencies. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced 85 people were arrested as a result of a wiretap drug bust investigation Friday morning. During the investigation, Stanton, from within the federal prison in Atlanta, coordinated and arranged with undercover detectives the purchase and delivery of approximately 26 pounds of methamphetamine from Georgia to Polk County, Florida. POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Polk County Sheriffs Department arrested five people Wednesday on drug possession and distribution charges, rescuing three children as well. Hes served three stints in prison. It resulted in the largest volume of methamphetamine seized during a joint investigation. POLK COUNTY -- A search warrant was executed at an Osceola, WI residence on February 13, 2020 by the Polk County Sheriffs Office, St. Croix Valley Drug Task Force, and Osceola Police Department, according to a probable cause report from the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Sibley said the investigation is ongoing and could yield further arrests. Federal and local investigators took him down along with 18 alleged sub-dealers and buyers in the Lakeland area. The investigation, called "Operation Dirty Water," involved more than a dozen law enforcement agencies in Florida and Georgia, including the Polk County Sheriff's Office. They learned her supplier was Nareo Lewis after she asked an undercover detective to drive her to his home on Colorado Avenue so she could pick up 7 grams of fentanyl. Detectives said three suspects told them they receive government assistance. Approximately 24.8 pounds of THC edibles seized (street value: approximately $8,480) Investigators learned that the suspects smuggled large amounts of drugs from Mexico into California, then transported the drugs on domestic flights from Los Angeles through Memphis, Tennessee and then to Orlando International Airport. The drugs were then transported by ground from the airport into Polk County. All rights reserved. But now his golf course community days are over. The sheriff said the drugs were smuggled in suitcases through domestic flights from LAX. The two share policing of Poinciana, a city based in both counties. WebFind out who's a rat by searching our snitch list containing information about known confidential informants, state's witnesses, and other snitches from our database. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. You can watch the full video below. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? ( NewsNation) Florida authorities say 85 people were arrested in connection to an international drug trafficking ring in Polk County. declares her, Alleged fraud could mean curtain call for theater, Womans car totaled in her driveway by Amazon driver, Missing Largo lawyers husband talks about love &. - The Polk County Sheriff's Office says their latest drug bust resulted in the largest seizure of fentanyl in the history of the agency. You can call it the Bell Gang Blues rap song.". Donald Trump Sues Michael Cohen for Running His Mouth, Will hack your phone and email and report to police, Jamie Massachusetts state organized Meth Cook, Hyde Park Homie Makes his living ratting then stealing your shit, Central Falls: Rhode Islands Best Not So Secret Agent Providence, Aryan bro snitches on another AB but blames on female, Stormy Daniels Talks to Prosecutors about Donald Trump, Luran Wilson AKA SNITCH, THIEF, PROSTITUTE, A perverted panty wearing bitch ass snitch, Cop Blaster: Police Misconduct Reporting & Monitoring. POLK COUNTY, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) - Sheriff Grady Judd says their most recent drug bust resulted in the When undercover detectives asked about the color, McClain allegedly told them it was dyed blue "in recognition of the Democratic Party.". It really is a textbook case of interagency cooperation and coordination, he said. "'We got ya gold, we put ya tail in the county jail.' Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was on hand since the criminal activity often ventured past the county border. Cayson is charged with: Home; Mugshots; Crime News; Contact; There needs to be a deep dive into the baggage handling and to see where the hookup was to allow suitcase after suitcase after suitcase to get through the scanning with no clothes inside no evidence of clothes inside just drugs, he said. Detectives executed a search warrant in Winter Haven and seized a pound of methamphetamine while continuing to make undercover narcotics purchases from that point forward from dealers throughout the area. Detectives found luggage containing about 35 pounds of meth in Meers truck, the PCSO said. Meers, 43, had only left federal prison in January and was on probation for a previous drug-trafficking conviction, Judd said. Detectives served 14 search warrants in Auburndale, Davenport, Polk City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, and Riverview, as well as in Fresno, California, resulting in the seizure of the following: The total street value of the confiscated drugs is more than $12.8 million, the sheriff's office said. Methamphetamine destroys lives, degrades communities, and ruins families. On Sept. 13, 2020, deputies say Demarcus Jefferson crashed his sedan into a Winter Haven gas station, killing a customer inside. Two 18-year-olds were also arrested at the home for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, deputies said. You think LAX just got a drug smuggling problem at the airport? The following were seized, according to the sheriff's office: By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Asked about the seizures of marijuana and the anti-anxiety pills, Judd said meth has a caustic effect and that users often ingest the other drugs to take the edge off.. Inside his backpack, they found 75 grams of fentanyl powder, 392 grams of confirmed fentanyl pills (nearly one pound), 175 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, one kilogram of methamphetamine, 75 grams of powder cocaine and 20 grams of crack cocaine. And then because of HSI, because of the leadership of these professionals who are with me today and others who couldnt make it, we were able to take it from the street level all the way back to the distribution point.. Judd said the investigation is ongoing and there were suspects the Sheriff's Office was still looking for. 2023 www.theledger.com. They were willing to send it here, he said. But according to our DEA partners, 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be a deadly overdose.

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