FLORIDA—Nine people are charged for their alleged roles in a fentanyl trafficking ring in Polk and Osceola counties that reportedly operated out of a pair of local businesses.
On Friday, Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) announced the shutdown of the alleged fentanyl trafficking ring.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested 64 individuals said to be involved in the trafficking organization, and Ms Moody’s OSP has charged nine of the defendants with felony counts of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, conspiracy to commit RICO and fentanyl trafficking among other charges.
The group, allegedly led by Hector Torres, Miguel Castro-Rivera, and Luis Delgado, sold fentanyl throughout Polk and Osceola counties, said Ms. Moody.
The investigation reportedly uncovered that most of the transactions originated from two businesses, a fish-and-bait shop and a motorcycle shop, owned by two of the ring’s conspirators.
Over the course of the investigation, authorities said they seized 742 grams of fentanyl, enough to kill 371,000 Floridians.
“Florida leads the nation in fentanyl seizures, and this case is yet another example of how Sheriff Grady Judd and his deputies are leaders in helping us remove deadly drugs from our streets,” said Ms Moody.
Working with Polk County deputies and FDLE, we were able to seize 742 grams of fentanyl in two counties. That is enough poison to kill 371,000 Floridians, and I have no doubt that this drug interdiction operation saved lives.”
According to the PCSO investigation, Torres, Castro-Rivera, and Delgado, and co-conspirators Pilar Rivera, Wilma Fuentes Laureano, Norberto Otero, Jr., Luis Lopez Torres, Abel Flores, and Jeimylee Rivera, sold fentanyl in Polk and Osceola counties.
The group is said to have generally sold small quantities of the deadly substance in an attempt to avoid detection by authorities. The alleged trafficking ring reportedly used countersurveillance techniques, such as cameras outside residences and businesses, multiple cellphones, and changing the location of drug deals when possible.
In addition to the 742 grams of fentanyl, authorities said they seized more than 3,500 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of methamphetamine, 57 grams of oxycodone, and more than 228 grams of marijuana.
Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors charged Torres, Castro-Rivera, and Delgado with RICO, a first-degree felony. All defendants except Flores are charged with conspiracy to RICO, a first-degree felony. Rivera, Delgado, and Fuentes are additionally charged with trafficking in fentanyl, a first-degree felony. Flores is charged with the sale of fentanyl, a second-degree felony.
Attorney General Moody’s OSP will prosecute the nine defendants’ cases. The remaining single-judicial circuit cases will be handled by the local state attorney.
