In local news, 8 suspects linked to the Mexican-based Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels have been arrested accused of trafficking 64 pounds of Fentanyl, worth $4.5 million, into Florida and Arizona. Two separate multi-agency undercover investigations into Fentanyl drug trafficking, led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, have resulted in a law enforcement seizure of 29 pounds of Fentanyl during investigation of the Jalisco Cartel and 35 pounds of Fentanyl from the Sinaloa Cartel. These back-to-back operations underscore the ongoing threat posted by international drug trafficking organizations.
Sheriff Grady Judd shared that the Fentanyl found was packaged in compact bricks labeled with numbers and names like "Cartoon Network" to mask the content hidden inside of hollowed-out car batteries. Early on, detectives said they coordinated shipments of pills and powder. Judd said the major operation took them to stash houses and drug operations also in Daytona Beach and Atlanta. All suspects now face charges linked to trafficking Fentanyl and conspiracy to traffic the drug. According to the Sheriff, "These people are violent, these people want your money, and they don't care whether or not they take your life."
On the impact of this potent drug on our local neighborhoods, Sheriff Judd said, "We do have a crisis - when 340,000 people have died of Fentanyl overdose between 2018-2023 in the United States. This is the largest seizure of Fentanyl in Polk County to date - in just these two investigations, my detectives seized 64 pounds of Fentanyl, which is enough to kill millions of people. We will continue to go after these criminals to reduce the flow of these deadly drugs into the U.S. and Florida."
The investigation was conducted through the State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E.) Florida Program. In 2023, the Florida Legislature established funding for the S.A.F.E. program to help conduct investigations specifically to combat illegal Fentanyl trafficking. We appreciate the Polk Sheriff's Office and local law enforcement for continuing to be vigilant and act to keep our community safe.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kSllnjbOEU&ab_channel=FOX13TampaBay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kSllnjbOEU&ab_channel=FOX13TampaBay
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