Central Florida Drug Trafficking Busts Seized Multi Kilos of Fentanyl, Cocaine

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Central Florida HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force detectives, working with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, successfully concluded two drug trafficking investigations involving Central Florida-based drug trafficking organizations this month.




Both investigations resulted in the arrest of 10 men and 1 woman who were involved in trafficking multiple kilos of fentanyl and cocaine. A total of 14 kilos of cocaine and 3 ½ kilos of bulk fentanyl and fentanyl pills were seized, along with four firearms, a vehicle, and $12,985 U.S. currency.

The investigations were 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.

The following agencies were involved with the investigations: Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Central Florida HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force, Winter Haven Police Department, 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office (Brian Haas, State Attorney), Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Attorney General’s Office (Attorney General Ashley Moody), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida (Roger B. Handberg)—Department of Justice.

Members of the Colon-Colon Central Florida drug trafficking organization were arrested as part of the major operation that seized multiple kilos of fentanyl and cocaine.

Also, the Espinosa and Romero Central Florida drug trafficking organization was busted, and five people have been arrested.

“I’m proud of our detectives and partner agencies who worked hard to remove 17 ½ kilos of destructive drugs off the streets,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “We are all working together to fight fentanyl, which is killing people by the thousands in the US because of drug overdoses. These drug traffickers are destroying lives, families and communities. These drugs go hand-in-hand with violence and misery in our communities.”