Members of the Colon-Colon Central Florida drug trafficking organization were arrested as part of a major operation that seized multiple kilos of fentanyl and 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. In one bust, they arrested six suspects in December who were a part of a drug trafficking organization known to sell trafficking amounts of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.
Investigators learned in August of 2023 that a man named Luis Salcedo-Rodriguez aka “Flaco” was linked with drug trafficking in Polk County. Detectives met with Salcedo-Rodriguez who offered to sell kilos of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl to undercover detectives.
During the investigation, detectives learned the source of supply of the cocaine offered by Salcedo-Rodriguez was Roosevelt Colon-Colon of Poinciana.
Detectives first arranged for the purchase of 1 kilo of cocaine. In December, detectives arranged a second purchase for additional cocaine. An undercover detective initially met Luis Salcedo and 29-year-old Miguel Berdecia who arrived in a BMW sedan. While they were talking, a pickup truck arrived containing Roosevelt Colon-Colon and Julio Arroyo Rodriguez—they were in possession of 1 kilo of cocaine. During the conversation, another vehicle arrived. That vehicle contained 44-year-old Jazmine Colon, 47-year-old Omar Medina and a 7-year-old girl who was in Jazmine Colon’s custody.
Sheriff’s deputies stopped all of the vehicles and arrested all involved (except for the 7-year-old). Julio Arroyo Rodriguez had a loaded 9mm handgun on him as he was taken into custody and Colon-Colon threw a 9mm handgun from his waistband on the floorboard of the truck just prior to being taken into custody.
A total of 2+ kilos of cocaine were obtained during the investigation (2,198.91 grams). $8,535 in U.S. currency and two firearms were seized during the arrest in December.
The Espinosa and Romero Central Florida drug trafficking organization was also busted as part of the operation, and five people were arrested.
According to local law enforcement, those arrested are:
Luis “Flaco” Salcedo-Rodriguez, 45, Auburndale
Charges: trafficking in cocaine, 400 grams or more, possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal history: battery, dealing in stolen property, engage in pawnbroker business without a license, false info and pawn items less than $300, fraud, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with evidence, burglary unoccupied structure no assault or battery, burglary occupied of dwelling unarmed, grand theft, nuisance structure for drug activity, maintain a structure for drug use, possession of heroin with intent to sell, possession of a hallucinogen, possession of heroin, possession of oxycodone, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of alprazolam, knowingly driving with suspended license, 0perate vehicle without valid license, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking in heroin over 4 grams, maintain a residence for drug trafficking, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of synthetic cannabinoid 28 grams. (20 felonies, 10 misdemeanors, sentenced to a total of 12 years in Florida state prison serving 3 separate sentences.) His most recent release from state prison was on 12/18/2021.
Roosevelt Colon Colon, 29, Poinciana
Charges: armed trafficking in cocaine, 400 grams or more, possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal history: driving with a suspended license (2014), driving with a suspended license (2015), criminal mischief, aggravated assault w intent to kill, shooting into a building or vehicle (Resulted in 5 years state prison), unlawful racing on highway, and driving while license suspended habitual (Felony).
Julio Arroyo Rodriguez, 38, Poinciana
Charges: Armed trafficking in cocaine, 400 grams or more and possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal history: Possession of cocaine and operating a motorcycle without a license.
Omar Medina, 47, Tampa
Charges: Conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, negligent child abuse
Criminal history: Carry concealed weapons; attack to commit murder, attempt to kill police, resistance to public officer, criminal act, mayhem (Puerto Rico charges); dangerous drugs money laundering, conspiracy to traffic at least 1 kilogram of heroin (2007 federal arrest; DEA Puerto Rico)—convicted 11 years federal bureau of prisons; conspiracy to traffic cocaine- (2010 federal arrest, DEA Puerto Rico)—convicted in plea bargain to 15 years to the federal bureau of prisons; dangerous drugs money laundering. Placed on Federal probation in 2022; federal probation was set to end in 2030.
Miguel Berdecia, 29, Bartow
Charges: Trafficking in cocaine over 400 grams
Jazmine Colon, 44, Tampa
Charges: Conspiracy to traffic cocaine over 400 grams of cocaine, child neglect without bodily harm.
Criminal history: petit theft
