polk county drug bust today

Three days after Sibley contacted Judd's office, undercover operations were set up in Polk County. The Sheriff's Office said Ornelas-Loza and Ornelas-Martinez are related, though their exact relationship wasn't known. Because of his leadership and his eagerness to help us with this operation and because we partnered across city, state and federal lines, this is how this happens, Judd said, because this is an international drug-smuggling operation that came all the way down to your child in Polk County, Florida.. Judd praised Sibley for leading the operation. "You think LAX has got a drug smuggling problem at the airport? 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. (Polk County Sheriff's Office) 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, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. He said it was the largest drug sting in Polk County history, with its main operations based in Winter Haven. He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to traffic in fentanyl, conspiracy to traffic in heroin, conspiracy to sell marijuana, armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a fictitious drivers license, felony battery, use of a two-way communication device to commit a felony, and three counts of probation violation. According to the Lebanon Police Department, the residence at 603 CL Manier Street has She graduated from UCF and returned to Central Florida after working in Colorado. Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter. Updated: Aug 20, 2022 / 01:55 PM CDT. 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. ". Deputies are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a crash Sunday night seriously injured a 67-year-old motorcyclist in Winter Haven. POLK COUNTY, Fla. Polk County deputies are on the hunt for an Orlando man they say is the leader of a violent gang. But now his golf course community days are over. 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.. Those arrested on Polk County charges are: 37-year-old Amber Caysonwho resides at3237 Xerxes Avenue NW, Winter Haven. Breaking news and weather alerts:Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app, Stay In the Know! A multi-agency investigation uncovered an international smuggling operation out of Winter Haven that brought drugs into Central Florida, according to the Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was on hand since the criminal activity often ventured past the county border. 59-year-old Isidoro Palacios was arrested at a methamphetamine lab located at5359 Stonewall Tell Road in College Park, Georgia. The liquid methoriginated in Mexico and was smuggled across the border to Palacios, Judd said. They were willing to send it here, he said. Whether its a short vacation or theyre jetting off to begin their career, show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift. "He was the one who really put together the trips from LAX to Florida," Judd said. We seized 20 firearms during this investigation, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and three stolen guns. Officials say they recovered The wiretap led to 14 search warrants in Auburndale, Davenport, Polk City, Lake Wales, Winter Havenand Riverview, as well as in Fresno, California. 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. Methamphetamine destroys lives, degrades communities, and ruins families. Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (F3) He is facing Polk County, Florida charges of: Authorities identified 55-year-old Lisa Radina as a dealer. According to a release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the drug trafficking organization also has ties with the Mexican drug cartel. Criminals dont know borders or boundaries.. POLK COUNTY, Fla. It all started with the interception of an envelope filled with Xanax pills and ended with the seizure of the largest volume of methamphetamine in the history of the Polk County Sheriff's Office. / CW44 Tampa Bay. While investigating the gas station crash, detectives received information that Demarcus and other members of the Jefferson family were involved in smuggling large amounts of methamphetamine through airlines in checked luggage on domestic flights from California. POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Polk County Sheriffs Department arrested five people Wednesday on drug possession and distribution charges, rescuing three children as well. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 85 suspects charged with a total of 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors. One of the suspects, 34-year-old James McClain, reportedly sold methamphetamine that was dyed blue. In all, agents ended up seizing nine pounds of meth, three ounces of heroin, 18 guns and 18 prescription pills. HSI agents and local Georgia law enforcement officers served search warrants at 8 locations in Georgia, arrested 3, and seized 1,416 pounds of crystalized and liquid methamphetamine. He said several of those arrested were rappers and "marketed themselves because they look cool in the community. To catch you up to speed, Judd says we'll have to start in January when an envelope shipped from Canada containing 2,544 Xanax pills was intercepted. 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. Read More. ( NewsNation) Florida authorities say 85 people were arrested in connection to an international drug trafficking ring in Polk County. Dwayne Kenneth StackhouseSr., 39: Judd said Stackhouse was identified as a large scale cocaine supplier in Central Florida. PCSO undercover detectives conducted a controlled delivery at 3237 Xerxes Avenue NW in Winter Haven and arrested37-year-old Amber Cayson of Winter Haven. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Trafficking in methamphetamine (F1) Trafficking in methamphetamine (F1) The drugs were secured and Meers was later arrested during a traffic stop where authorities say she admitted to being paid $500 a kilo by Stanton for deliveries. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. 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. 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, Authorities said they executed a search warrant at Lewis home on Nov. 23. The Sheriff's Office said he is charged with DUI manslaughter in that incident and his criminal case is pending. Meers' arrest led investigators to the location of 3 methamphetamine conversion labs in Georgia. 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. International drug trafficking ring busted in Polk County Ken Suarez reports. Vincent Thomas, 35, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Trafficking in Cocaine 400 grams or more (1 count) Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count) Conspiracy to traffic cocaine 28 grams or more (4 counts) Conspiracy to sell cocaine (9 counts) Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (1 count) Conspiracy to sell marijuana ( 141 counts) Conspiracy to purchase marijuana ( 5 counts) Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count) Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Possession of oxycodone (1 count) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (1 count) Possession of prescription medication without a prescription (1 count) Maintaining a structure to sell drugs (1 count)His criminal history includes 173 felonies and 16 misdemeanors. "Because he made phone calls, and we have videos from thestore of people running up with masks on going into the trunk and taking items out of the trunk before law enforcement arrived." This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. After Meers returned to Georgia, undercover agents sought another purchase. Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the investigation started in September 2020, when 32-year-old Demarcus Jefferson crashed his car into a Winter Haven gas station, killing a customer inside. According to the sheriff, they were taking drugs out of the trunk so deputies wouldn't find them during their crash investigation. They use violence as a means to enforce their trafficking business. The mastermind of the drug-trafficking network ran it from inside the United States Penitentiary Atlanta, where he is an inmate, he said. He was charged with multiple drug-trafficking charges and was released Thursday on $119,500 bond. The first and biggest bust occurred on Oct. 12 when Mario Alberto Castro Solache, 29, of Raleigh; Pedro Mondragon, 27, of Lillington; and Ignacio Rodriguez, 28, Bradenton, Florida, were arrested in connection to the largest drug bust in the history of Polk County, Florida. Over the course of the next year and a half, detectives made undercover narcotics purchases in the Winter Haven area and learned that drugs were being smuggled from California to Orlando via checked luggage on flights. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd shows one of the suitcases filled with drugs that was checked as luggage on a flight from LAX to Orlando. In total, the sheriff's office says more than $54 million worth of illegal drugs were seized across the entire operation. Approximately 1500 pounds of methamphetamine seized (street value: approximately $53.8 million) 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. Learn More. Judd emphasized the connections of the trafficking ring to the Juarez drug cartel, one of Mexicos most established crime organizations. All rights reserved. Stanton's criminal history includes 26 arrests in Georgia to include charges of trafficking in methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, threatening a law enforcement officer, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and numerous parole and probation violations. Polk County Sheriff's Office: Winter Haven man fatally shot by officer Saturday night, 3 Polk County deputies charged with felonies related to evidence tampering, Body cameras revisited after suspect fatally shot by Winter Haven police, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. We seized 20 firearms during this investigation, including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and three stolen guns. During the investigation, Judd said, detectives learned that one of his brothers died of an overdose of fentanyl and Xanax at the same house. Now shes an arrested girl," Judd said. Copyright 2023 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings. The others arrested so far are Crescencio Ornelas-Loza, 30, of Fairburn, Georgia; and Luis Ornelas-Martinez, 50, of Stockbridge, Georgia. ). I believe that they do, and they need to address it ASAP. Im proud of the good work our detectives did to take these drugs off the street and send these traffickers to jail, said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. 20 firearms seized (3 were reported as stolen) The 24 orange buckets displayed at the news conference were of the same type used by the traffickers and symbolized the amount of liquid meth seized, Judd said. Judd identified six people as the ring leaders: Demarcus Terrell Jefferson, 32, of Winter Haven, Dwayne Kenneth Stackhouse Sr., 39, of Lake Wales; Abadosh McKenzie, 41, of Riverview; Lenard Henderson, 42, of Polk County, Javarius Samuel, 31, of Fresno, California; Darmonte Munson, 30, of Winter Haven. The sheriff also released the following statement following the press conference: Some people still call this low-level, non-violent drugs. What are the chances of a fourth stimulus check after Biden's address to Congress? Possession of marijuana resin (edibles) (F3) However, the family continued to sell drugs at the home after Devontae's death, the sheriff's office said. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. 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. A fourth, 1140 Dugdown Road, was listed in Buchanan. WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Detectives in Polk County arrested more than two dozen people in a drug trafficking sting following a 16-month undercover investigation. Undercover detectives then met with Jennifer Meers, 43, who they say delivered a suitcase full of 12 clear storage bags containing the illegal drug at a hotel room in Lakeland. 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. A multi-agency investigation uncovered an international smuggling operation out of Winter Haven that brought drugs into Central Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. But according to our DEA partners, 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be a deadly overdose. Illegal drugs destroy lives and families, and generate theft and violence in our community, and drug traffickers are profiting from the destruction. Undercover detectives made multiple drug purchases at his Winter Haven home, learning that six months earlier, one of Demarcus' brothers, Devontae, died from a Fentanyl and Xanax overdose at that same house. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 5 suspects arrested His criminal history includes 4 arrests in Georgia. Approximately 24.8 pounds of THC edibles seized (street value: approximately $8,480) First published on May 3, 2021 / 12:45 PM. They found illegal Xanax, carisoprodol pills, and methamphetamine in his backpack. - The Polk County Sheriff's Office says their latest drug bust resulted in the largest seizure of fentanyl in the history of the agency. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced 85 people were arrested as a result of a wiretap drug bust investigation Friday morning. All rights reserved. He was released from jail after posting $24,500 bond. Stanton is currently incarcerated in theUnited States Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. That means 6.8 ounces of fentanyl could have killed up to 96,000 people.. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. They make money off the misery of others. Over the weekend, Polk County Police Officer Howard of the Uniformed Patrol Division was The woman had connections to the Juarez drug cartel in Mexico, Judd said. 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. You can also watch a report by Spectrum Bay News 9's Ashonti Ford in the video above. Using what it called the "largest wiretap in Polk County history," the Polk County Sheriff's Office said it broke up an international drug smuggling ring operated out of Winter Haven, which moved large amounts of drugs from Mexico, through Los Angeles and into the Winter Haven using checked luggage in commercial airlines. This is not a horrible fairy tale. Twelve people were arrested in a Rome-Floyd Metro Task Force drug bust on Maple Avenue late Tuesday, including five who additionally face charges related to membership in a street gang. 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. But Meers visited a psychic who warned her that it wasnt a good time to travel to Florida, Judd said. POLK COUNTY, Fla. A multi-agency investigation uncovered an international smuggling operation out of Winter Haven that brought drugs into Central Florida, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd told media on Friday that the investigation, which started in September 2020, resulted in the arrests of 85 suspects who are now facing a 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. Three for driving without a valid license and one charge for theft by receiving stolen property. The same day, detectives conducted a traffic stop and arrested Samuel on his two active warrants in Florida. Get todays headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2022 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 8:00 PM EDT, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, Approximately 22.4 pounds of marijuana seized (street value: approximately $100,000), Approximately 4.3 pounds of methamphetamine seized (street value: approximately $97,950), Approximately 1.7 pounds of cocaine seized (street value: approximately $81,000), Approximately 36.3 grams of Ecstasy (street value: approximately $3,630), Approximately 32 bags of THC candy (street value: approximately $640), Approximately 2.5 grams of heroin (street value: approximately $500), Approximately 5 grams of oxycodone seized (street value: approximately $100), New Port Richey dad dies while saving 6-year-old child from drowning, National Hurricane Center announces changes ahead of upcoming 2023 season, Elderly man with Alzheimer's found during search for robbery suspect in Tampa, Missing Arkansas teen found in Tampa more than two months after she was last seen, investigators say, Largo lawyer murder: Blood, firearms, $280,000 cash found in search of surgeon's vehicles, home, police say, USF football player arrested for domestic battery, 2-year-old daughter of Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett drowns in swimming pool, Heart attack survivor competes in St. Anthony's triathlon after hospital saved her life, Auburndale man arrested in connection with shooting that left three hospitalized, Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation receives one of its largest financial gifts. "Now I'm not sure if the Democrat Party would be proud of that, but that's why it was blue, according to him," Judd said. The operation involved the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Department of Homeland Security, Haines City Police Department and law enforcement agencies from Georgia. 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. 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. You can watch the full video below. In an interview, Meers told detectives that Stanton, the inmate, coordinated meth deliveries and paid her $500 for every kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, she delivered, the release said. It resulted in the largest volume of methamphetamine seized during a joint investigation. If you look at our org chart there, youll notice that theres kind of three distinct groups of people, he said. The sheriffs office received a call Wednesday about a young child walking alone on US Highway 190 in the Onalaska area. "On one occasion, on one airline, six suitcases with this drug were smuggled into Orlando," Judd said. OK, great. ", "Can y'all make a rap about this?" WINTER HAVENPolk County Sheriff Grady Judd stood beside a table piled with bags of crystal methamphetamine and a pyramid of plastic buckets. A Transportation Security Administration spokesperson said the agencys screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers. The primary drug trafficking broker operated from a federal prison in Georgia. "Two milligrams of fentanyl can be a deadly overdose," Judd said. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. 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. In early 2021, the Polk County Sheriff's Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force (HIDTA) and the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) initiated a joint investigation of a drug trafficking organization with ties to the Juarez Mexican Drug Cartel. Several law enforcement agencies including the Orlando Police Department, Osceola County Sheriffs Office and U.S. Border Patrol worked together to focus on taking down the drug-trafficking organization. Over two dozen were arrested following an undercover drug sting by the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Orlando International Airport raises parking prices | Win tickets to watch Artemis 1 rocket launch | Video shows large gator eating another alligator in Silver Springs | Become a News 6 Insider (its free! All of this drug here was not destined for Polk County, just a piece of it, Judd said. She is currently in the Polk County Jail with no bond. Atlanta is the southeastern hub for meth trafficking, Judd said. POLK COUNTY, Ga. (FOX 5 Atlanta) - Multiple law enforcement agencies have taken down ten people in a drug bust in Polk County. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. The Polk County Sheriffs Office got a tip that someone was selling large amounts of drugs out of a home in the 200 block of Colorado Avenue in Lakeland. 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. POLK COUNTY, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) - Sheriff Grady Judd says their most recent drug bust resulted in the Judd said the the operation involved multiple agencies across the state and nation, including the Winter Haven Police Department, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, the Orlando Police Department, the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, the Fresno, California, Police Department, the Shelby County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the U.S. Border Patrol andthe U.S. Department of Homeland Security, among others. Polk Sheriff Grady Judd told media on Friday that the investigation, which started in September 2020, resulted in the arrests of85 suspects who are now facing a total of 355 felony chargesand 93 misdemeanors. "Some people still call this low-level, non-violent drugs. Lenard Henderson, 42: Judd said Henderson was a large-scale cocaine supplier and a "ringleader." 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..

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