POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The largest wiretap investigation in Polk County history lands 85 people behind bars.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to dismantle an international drug smuggling ring, operating out of Winter Haven.
Suitcases full to the brim with Methamphetamine, made their way through US airports, where Polk County would be their final destination.
“On one occasion on one airline, six suitcases with this drug was smuggled into Orlando. They didn’t so much as throw a pair of underwear in the suitcase, to act like they were hiding the drugs,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
An investigation began in September 2020 when detectives executed a search warrant in Winter Haven.
“We received information that the Jefferson family from Winter Haven was smuggling large amounts of drugs into Florida,” Judd said.
Detectives learned that pounds of meth were being trafficked from Mexico to California then to Central Florida, in checked luggage on domestic flights.
“They would have what they call ghost tickets. They would get a ticket to travel, check their bag and never get on the airplane and the suitcase would fly by itself,” said Judd.
In February, an undercover wiretap investigation began. This massive multi-agency investigation resulted in 85 suspects being arrested and charged with a total of 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors.
“You have to exhaust other investigative methods before you go to a wiretap. This organization could not have been dismantled, absent this operation with this wiretap,” said Judd.
Authorities seized $235,000 cash, 49 firearms, 268 pounds of meth and 6.8 ounces of fentanyl.
“According to our DEA partners, 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be a deadly overdose. OK Grady, so what does all that mean? It means that 6.8 ounces of fentanyl could have killed up to 96,000 people,” Judd said.
The total street value of the drugs confiscated is over $12.8 Million. This is the largest seizure of drugs and arrests made during an undercover wiretap investigation in Polk County.
The investigation is ongoing. There are three suspects out of state that are still at large.
