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 resulted in the arrests of eight individuals linked to two different Cartels based in Mexico: the Sinaloa and the Jalisco New Generation Transnational Criminal Organizations. Law enforcement seized 29 pounds of Fentanyl during the investigation of the Jalisco Cartel, and seized 35 pounds of Fentanyl from the Sinaloa Cartel, which is the largest seizure during one investigation in the county’s history. These back-to-back operations underscore the ongoing threat posed by international drug trafficking organizations.
The partnering agencies in the Sinaloa Cartel investigation were: The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE); U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Tampa and Phoenix Offices; U.S Border Patrol; Auburndale Police Department; Office of the State Attorney 10th Judicial Circuit, and United States Postal Inspection Service from the Tampa and Phoenix offices.
The investigation has been conducted with the assistance of the State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E) Florida Program managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In 2023, the Florida Legislature established state funding for the S.A.F.E program to conduct investigations designed to combat illegal fentanyl trafficking. The grant provides financial support and assistance for approved fentanyl-related investigative costs, such as overtime, travel, investigative supplies and equipment, and training.
"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 United States and Florida." – Grady Judd, Sheriff
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