polk county drug bust today

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. The same day, detectives conducted a traffic stop and arrested Samuel on his two active warrants in Florida. The fatal shooting of a 17-year-old in Haines City last week is believed to be connected to another shooting that occurred minutes earlier that same day, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. The primary drug trafficking broker operated from a federal prison in Georgia. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said their narcotics detectives and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force made 29 arrests in the Lake Wales area and issued arrest warrants for three suspects related to the trafficking, sale and possession of illegal drugs. Undercover agents arranged a controlled delivery of the pills to Amber Cayson, 37, at 3237 Xerxes Ave. in Winter Haven, the PCSO said. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, FL Panthers oust Bruins 4-3 in OT in Game 7, 1 killed when plane slams into LA neighborhood, St. Pete donut shop damaged after car crashes into, Texas baseball player hit by gunfire during game, White Sox stop slide with wild 12-9 win against Rays, Where you can use expired Bed Bath & Beyond coupons, Family of Pass-a-Grille drowning victims speaks out, Toddler of Bucs linebacker drowned Sunday, police, USF football player arrested for domestic violence, Womans Medicare cut off after gov. 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. POLK COUNTY, Fla. A multi-state, joint drug trafficking investigation, has netted a seizure of more than $50 million in drugs. The liquid methoriginated in Mexico and was smuggled across the border to Palacios, Judd said. Palacios is charged with trafficking methamphetamine, theft by receiving stolen property, and animal cruelty (stemming from the illegal rooster fighting ring). I believe that they do and they need to address it, he said. Those props illustrated Judds announcement Thursday morning of what he said was the largest methamphetamine bust in the history of the Polk County Sheriffs Department, netting the seizure of more than $53 million in illegal drugs. Three for driving without a valid license and one charge for theft by receiving stolen property. 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.. Officials say they recovered His criminal history includes 2 arrests in Georgia with charges of trafficking in cocaine, illegal drug possession, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and driving without a valid license. Sheriff's officials said they arrested his partner, Vicente Carranza-Basanta, the same day. Instead of it being delivered by mail, undercover deputies instead paid her a visit for controlled delivery of the drug. Deputies said Lewis has a lengthy rap sheet that includes numerous drug sale and possession charges, and charges of aggravated battery, lewd and lascivious behavior against a victim between 12 and 16. You think LAX just got a drug smuggling problem at the airport? Drug bust James McClain, 34, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Conspiracy to sell marijuana (21 Counts) Conspiracy to sell cocaine (8 counts) Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (2 counts) Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1count) Unlawful use of two-way communication device (1 count) Possession of marijuana over 20 grams (1count) Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1count) Maintaining a vehicle for drugs (1count) Driving with a suspended license (1count)His criminal history includes 15 felonies and 26 misdemeanors. Investigators seized 1,416 pounds of crystallized and liquid meth with a street value of over $50 million. Apt #202 in Lake Wales, where they found another pound of cocaine, marijuana, $13,000 cash, and a firearm, they said. drug bust According to a release from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the drug trafficking organization also has ties with the Mexican drug cartel. Approximately 2.4 pounds of marijuana (street value: approximately $7,000) How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? The operation went through California, Tennessee, and Orlando. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Judd said Samuel was usinga forged Georgia drivers license to evade law enforcement and travel between Florida and California. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lenard Henderson, 42: Judd said Henderson was a large-scale cocaine supplier and a "ringleader." Stanton is currently incarcerated in theUnited States Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations coordinated with its Tampa office to arrange undercover purchases of other drugs, and the agency asked the Polk County Sheriffs Office for help, said Kevin Sibley, special agent in charge for the Tampa office. The two share policing of Poinciana, a city based in both counties. Its in Winter Haven. Updated: Aug 20, 2022 / 01:55 PM CDT. 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 praised Sibley for leading the operation. Updated: Nov 4, 2021 / 10:53 PM CDT. 2023 FOX Television Stations, until MON 8:00 PM EDT, Pinellas County, Coastal Hillsborough County, Coastal Manatee County, Coastal Sarasota County, 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 street value), 3.4 pounds of MDMA/Ecstasy ($84,601 street value), 6.8 ounces of Fentanyl ($26,880 street value), crashed his car into a Winter Haven gas station, killing a customer inside, 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. 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. A fourth, 1140 Dugdown Road, was listed in Buchanan. Learn More. 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. Deputies are looking for a hit-and-run driver after a crash Sunday night seriously injured a 67-year-old motorcyclist in Winter Haven. Breaking news and weather alerts:Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app, Stay In the Know! Insider: Drug Bust In Washburn County: Seizure Of Heroin, After the delivery, Meers, who is on federal probation for drug trafficking, left the hotel and returned to Georgia. Trafficking in methamphetamine (F1) Conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine (F1) All rights reserved. They use violence as a means to enforce their trafficking business. Meers, 43, had only left federal prison in January and was on probation for a previous drug-trafficking conviction, Judd said. Both men were living illegally in the United States, Judd said. I think weve uncovered a problem for LAX.. 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. All of this drug here was not destined for Polk County, just a piece of it, Judd said. Polk County drug dealers busted with more than 600 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 was released from jail after posting $24,500 bond. A search of his home turned up about a pound of marijuana and a handgun. 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. 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. "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. 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. WebUse this page to report what appears to you as a possible violation of controlled substances laws and regulations. Were not dealing with people that are low level and nonviolent people, he said. Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. Detectives said three suspects told them they receive government assistance. Follow on Twitter @garywhite13. When they retrieved the narcotics from Meers' truck, they found luggage with 16 vacuum sealed bags containing approximately 35 pounds of methamphetamine. One of the cartels is not very happy today because their folks got caught with a whole lotta drugs," Sheriff Grady Judd said. Two 18-year-olds were also arrested at the home for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, deputies said. 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. In total, the sheriff's office says more than $54 million worth of illegal drugs were seized across the entire operation. According to the Now that doesnt sound like a lot, 6.8 ounces of fentanyl, but according to our DEA partners, 2 mg of fentanyl can be a deadly overdose, Judd said. They found illegal Xanax, carisoprodol pills, and methamphetamine in his backpack. 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.. But now his golf course community days are over. After Meers returned to Georgia, undercover agents sought another purchase. [TRENDING: How much? 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, 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. 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. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. RELATED: Stepfather of boy rescued from abuse by Orlando restaurant manager gets life sentence. That means 6.8 ounces of fentanyl could have killed up to 96,000 people.. 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 Matt Murphy, who witnessed the 2020 gas station crash, told FOX 13 at the time that after the driver crashed through the building, an SUV showed up. Experts say that most large-scale drug smugglers useports of entry and drugs are not carried by people illegally crossing the border on foot. 43-year-old Jennifer Meerswho resides at467 Allana Court, Stone Mountain, Georgia. 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. His current sentence runs through 2040. Methamphetamine destroys lives, degrades communities, and ruins families. 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. The investigation, labeled Operation Dirty Water,has yielded six arrests so far, including a Winter Haven woman and others linked to a Mexican drug cartel, Judd said. 3.4 pounds of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy. Three days after Sibley contacted Judd's office, undercover operations were set up in Polk County. We arrested the people. Over the weekend, Polk County Police Officer Howard of the Uniformed Patrol Division was POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Polk County Sheriffs Department arrested five people Wednesday on drug possession and distribution charges, rescuing three children as well. They wanted to establish a conduit into the county and our undercover detectives were their new operation in Central Florida. 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." ". WebPolk Busted - Daily Polk County Jail arrest mugshots, sheriff booking inquirey, and crime news for Lakeland, Winter Haven and more. The sheriff's office announced the arrests in alphabetical order: Jerald Anderson, 35, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Conspiracy to sell marijuana (21 Counts) Conspiracy to sell cocaine (8 counts) Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (2 counts) Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1count) Unlawful use of two-way communication device (1 count) Possession of cannabis over 20 grams (1count) Possession of cannabis with intent to sell (1count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1count) Maintaining a vehicle for drugs (1count) Driving with a suspended license (1count), George Ashe, 43, of Bartow was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana(2 counts) Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count), William Byrd, 29, of Lakeland was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase cannabis (4 counts) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count), Fenel Celestin, 33, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Trafficking in methamphetamine (1 count) Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (1 count) Possession of Xanax (1 count) Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon (1 count) Possession of cocaine with intent to sell (1 count) Possessing a structure to traffic drugs (1 count) possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count), Ashauntea Dias, 20, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Possession of heroin (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Possession of a firearm by a delinquent (1 count), Kelvin Eads, 47, of Frostproof was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (3 counts) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count), Patrick Fields, 34, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Trafficking in methamphetamine 28 grams or more (1 counts) Conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine 28 grams or more (1 count) Conspiracy to sell cocaine (2 counts) Conspiracy to sell marijuana (3 counts) Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 count) Conspiracy to traffic cocaine 28 grams or more (1 count) Unlawful use of two-way communication device (1 count) Possession of marijuana over 20 grams Possession of MDMA (Ecstasy) Possession of drug paraphernalia Maintaining a residence for drugs, Silvia Gonzalez, 41, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (5 counts) Conspiracy to purchase cocaine (8 counts) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count), Johnny Hamilton, 55, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (1 count) Resisting an officer without violence (1 count) Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell (1 count) Possession of codeine with intent to sell (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count), Terrance Hamilton, 48, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, Shantavis Handford, 19, of Winter Haven was arrested for: Possession of cocaine (1 count) Possession of marijuana with intent to sell (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count), Clifford Hart, 35, of Winter Haven was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (3 counts) Conspiracy to sell marijuana (30 counts) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count), Julie Howell, 34, of Lakeland was arrested for: Possession of cocaine (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Trafficking in methamphetamine (1 count), Jackquez Irving, 28, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (2 counts) Unlawful use of a two-way device (1 count), Kerry Johnson, 42, of Orlando was arrested in Orange County for a Polk County warrant for: Conspiracy to sell marijuana (3 counts) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count), Adrienne Kinsler, 31, of Plant City was arrested for: Possession of cocaine (1 count) Possession of drug paraphernalia (1 count) Possession of oxycodone (1 count) Possession of marijuana under 20 grams (1 count) Possession of prescription medication without a prescription (1 count), Jose Lopez-Ortiz, 26, of Lake Wales was arrested for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (8 counts) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count). Judd added that not all of the drugs were destined for our area, but that members of the Juarez and Sinaloa drug cartels had expressed interest in setting up a central Florida hub for distribution. Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. 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. WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Authorities say a two-year undercover investigation resulted in 85 arrests, the seizure of over $12.8 million worth of drugs, and the dismantling of an international drug trafficking organization whose ringleaders operated out of Winter Haven. Methamphetamine destroys lives, degrades communities, and ruins families. You think LAX has got a drug smuggling problem at the airport?". The sheriff said the drugs were smuggled in suitcases through domestic flights from LAX. However, the family continued to sell drugs at the home after Devontae's death, the sheriff's office said. 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. FORT MEADE, Fla. - Nearly two dozen people face charges in an undercover drug operation that was a direct response to calls and concerns from the Fort Meade community, officials announced Wednesday. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said their narcotics detectives and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force made 29 arrests in the Lake Wales area and issued arrest warrants for three suspects related to the trafficking, sale and possession of illegal drugs. 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. 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.. The investigation resulted in the arrest of 85 suspects charged with a total of 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors. "Two milligrams of fentanyl can be a deadly overdose," Judd said. Showing an image of one incident that had 96 pounds of methamphetamine and 48 pounds of cannabis in six suitcases seized during the investigation, Judd took aim at the baggage inspections taking place at Los Angeles International Airport.

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