( NewsNation) Florida authorities say 85 people were arrested in connection to an international drug trafficking ring in Polk County. The subsequent raid of the meth lab also uncovered an illegal rooster fighting ring belonging to 59-year-old Isidoro Palacios. He told detectives he receives $204.00/month in food stamps. This poison is coming into the country across the border from Mexico, and we are going to continue our investigation into the Mexican drug cartels who are killing innocent people," Judd said during a news conference Friday morning. 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 total of 355 felony charges and. The offender (later identified as Jeffery Hodges (35yom Rockmart) was subsequently taken into custody without incident. In addition to the drug seizure, Polk County Sheriffs deputies stated that they seized over $50,000 in the case and several firearms. MINT detectives were assisted by Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement and K-9 Division, DEA, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, Mt. Nine people were arrested in the drug bust: Deputies said a detective responded to the shipping facility this past Wednesday and a dog reacted to a package. His criminal history includes 1 felony. David Devane,42, of Fort Meade is charged with possession of methand possession of paraphernalia. POLK COUNTY, Fla. - Twenty-one people were arrested in a drug bust in Polk County this month. Police say he threw drugs out the cars window when it was stopped on Pickard near US-127 during the bust this week. Larry Joe Criswell, DOB 12/31/80, of 240 Lunn Road in Fort Meade, During the investigation, Criswell sold undercover detectives a total of 7 grams of meth, and two Xanax pills. Larry Joe Criswell,39, of Fort Meade is charged with three counts of sale of meth and sale of Alprazolam. We asked BestReviews cooking expert Andrea Boudewijn for her best recommendations for Mothers Day gifts. #_form_2_ ._error._above ._error-arrow { bottom:0; right:15px; border-left:5px solid transparent; border-right:5px solid transparent; border-top:5px solid red; } Detectives said three suspects told them they receive government assistance. Over the weekend, Polk County Police Officer Howard of the Uniformed Patrol Division was conducting speed enforcement in the area of Highway 27 / Lewis Road. The sheriff said investigators seized $88,000 in cash, $89,000 worth of jewelry, and $283,000 worth of narcotics in the bust. The investigation called Operation Hot Wire was initiated back in September of 2019. These drugs were sold by members arrested in the drug operation. NewsNation local affiliate WFLA contributed to this story. Two of the suspects were arrested at the facility and they made additional arrests through undercover detectives, according to the sheriffs office. The investigation, called "Operation No Snow," focused on the illegal sale of cocaine and meth, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, which led to the arrest of 20 suspects, but one suspect remains at-large. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ", "Can y'all make a rap about this?" He was also arraigned Thursday and remains jailed. Posted by Staff Reports | Jun 26, 2022 | Polk News | 0 |. Spiker told detectives it belonged to her. As a result, detectives took them both into custody on Oct. 12 and booked them into the Polk County Jail. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Two people suspected of dealing large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs in the Polk County area have been arrested, authorities said Wednesday. The other six that have outstanding warrants have not yet been apprehended by law enforcement. During the investigation, the agency says two other suspected traffickers were identified: 29-year-old Mario Alberto Castro Solache from Raleigh, North Carolina, and 27-year-old Pedro Mondragon of Lillington, NC. During the investigation, Dunlap sold undercover detectives 5.6 grams of synthetic cannabinoid called "The Incredible Hulk," 3.2 grams of meth, and .95 grams of cocaine. His criminal history includes 1 felony and 2 misdemeanors. The pursuit ultimately ended on Lake Creek Road / Highway 27, where the vehicle wrecked. His criminal history includes 2 felonies and 4 misdemeanors. Police say methamphetamine was bought at his house in May and June, once from him and another time from another suspect. According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, Operation Hot Wire, which began in Sept. 2019, stemmed from a series of five violent, gang-related armed home invasions and the murder of Shay Collins in Dundee in 2019. POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - The Polk County Sheriffs Office had a huge win with the largest meth seizure in county history. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., says crime in NYC is very concerning and added that people are leaving in record numbers. Undercover detectives made multiple drug purchases at his home. "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. 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. If youre shopping for top products on the market, here are the best 14 products the BestReviews Testing Lab loved in March. His criminal history includes 3 felonies and 5 misdemeanors. LAKE WALES, Fla. Thirty-two people are facing dozens of charges following a $283,000 drug trafficking bust in Polk County, the sheriff's office said. In October, the sheriff's office says Solache and Mondragon drove to Polk County from North Carolina to meet with detectives about another sale of fentanyl. He was released from the Manatee County Jail on Oct. 15 after posting $56,500 in bond. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Will a gun that uses facial recognition reduce firearm deaths? Juan Palacios, 58, of Fort Meade is charged with possession of methand possession of paraphernalia. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Mitchell Ware, 68, of Coral Springs was arrested in Broward County for a Polk County warrant for: Conspiracy to purchase marijuana (1 count) Unlawful use of two communication device (1 count). He was arrested and charged with sale of cocaine (F2) and sale of meth (F2). Amazons HQ2 pause hasnt quelled worries about gentrification, promised jobs, GOP mega donor says Clarence Thomas is victim of political hit job, Poll: Largest percentage of Americans identify as independents. When police investigated the crash, they got word that Jefferson and some family members helped smuggle large amounts of meth through airports in checked luggage. Over the weekend, Polk County Police Officer Howard of the Uniformed Patrol Division was conducting speed enforcement in the area of . The sheriffs office said detectives served 12 search warrants countywide and the investigation led to 74 suspects being charged with 711 felonies and 11 drugs, including 30 grams of fentanyl, were seized, with a total street value of over half a million dollars. He told detectives he receives $200.00/month in food stamps. She was arraigned Thursday and remains in the Isabella County Jail. More than 90 grams of cocaine were seized at a drug bust in Melbourne on April 29, according to the Melbourne Police Department. Communities and families were exposed to violence, loved-ones were tortured by drug addiction, and at least two people that we know of died from overdoses of fatal mixtures of heroin and fentanyl purchased from these suspects. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. POLK COUNTY, FL - May 21, 2020 - According to an online news report published on May 21, 2020, on WFLA.com, more than 70 individuals were arrested in a massive drug bust in Polk County, Florida.A nine-month-long wiretap drug investigation assisted law enforcement in obtaining names and evidence to make over 70 drug-related arrests, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Some families had loved ones who were victims of drug addiction, and a few victims tragically lost their lives due to fatal mixtures of fentanyl and heroin, which lead to overdoses. Mary Spiker, DOB 08/25/73, of 240 Lunn Road in Fort Meade. #_form_2_ ._button-wrapper ._error-inner._form_error { position:static; } 2023 FOX Television Stations, 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), Father, 2 children found dead following Lithia mobile home fire, DeSantis v. Disney: Governor seeks to nullify Reedy Creek agreement, control parks with state oversight powers, Father, daughter rescued after personal watercraft sank in Lake Thonotosassa, Haines City fire chief part of team that created lifesaving devices, New Port Richey athlete with autism invited to run Boston Marathon. Numerous families and communities suffered due to witnessing extreme violent crimes. Joseph Bowers, 68, of Fort Meade is charged with possession of methand possession of paraphernalia. Officials say they recovered more than four pounds of meth, several . Thirteen arrested in Mt. Below are some of the drugs and guns found during the investigation: Below are the names of the suspects who have been arrested: The following suspects have warrants out for their arrests: Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Katrinya McKinzie,41, of Fort Meade is charged with possession of methand possession of paraphernalia. Rafael Bautista, DOB 03/27/94, of 803 Lake Branch Road in Bowling Green. Which states have increased taxes the most? McCutchen also sold undercover detectives .95 grams of cocaine. During the investigation, Sheffield sold undercover detectives .26 grams of cocaine. On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the search warrant at his address, he refused to leave the house. Some of the biggest names in cable news are expected to testify at a trial that could alter the American media landscape moving forward. Eight suspects told detectives they receive government assistance, and 22 suspects have been to state prison before. WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Polk County detectives had their eye on dating apps, monitoring the sale of illegal drugs in an undercover operation that led to dozens of arrests. Reports | Jun 26, 2022 | Polk News | 0 | Inc. | All Rights Reserved could! On December 22, 2020, during the execution of the suspects were arrested at the facility and made... 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