Police in Florida have reported that a multi-state narcotics investigation has resulted in the apprehension of seven suspects on drug possession and drug trafficking charges and the seizure of illegal drugs worth more than $9 million. Three of the individuals taken into custody were in the United States illegally according to a Polk County Sheriff’s Office representative.
The investigation was launched when PCSO deputies were informed that large quantities of methamphetamine were being smuggled into California from Mexico and then mailed to Florida. An undercover drug buy was arranged in Bloomington, California, that is said to have led to the arrest of two men and the seizure of approximately 137 pounds of methamphetamine worth about $4.6 million. This operation also allegedly uncovered information about additional drug traffickers.
This information was used by PCSO deputies to arrange two further undercover drug buys in Polk County. The first took place in Winter Haven and led to the arrest of a 38-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman. Deputies seized approximately 3.25 kilograms of heroin at the scene. The second drug buy took place in Lakeland and led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man and a 32-year-old man. A further 1.25 kilograms of heroin was seized. The $4.9 million worth of heroin recovered is the largest ever seizure of the drug in Polk County according to reports.
Prosecutors often make favorable plea offers in return for cooperation when major narcotics organizations are broken up and several suspects are taken into custody, but these offers may become far less generous as time passes. This is why experienced criminal defense attorneys could advise those apprehended during drug sweeps to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible and act without delay if they hope to secure more lenient treatment by entering into a plea agreement.
Source: WFLA, “$4.9M worth of heroin seized in largest bust on Polk County record”, Staff report, Dec. 3, 2019
