As part of a major drug trafficking investigation, the Espinosa and Romero Central Florida drug trafficking organization was busted, and five people have been arrested.
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.
Undercover detectives identified 56-year-old Pedro Luis “Bemba” Romero, of Kissimmee. Romero was believed to be involved in the sale of multiple kilos of cocaine. Romero has a criminal history that included robbery, trafficking in cocaine, other narcotics violations related to MDMA and cocaine, and federal narcotic violations that resulted in Romero being incarcerated in federal prison for 80 months.
Detectives arranged to buy a kilo of cocaine from Romero in Haines City in November of 2023. Romero brought his drug supplier, 44-year-old Maximo Espinosa, of Kissimmee, with him to the drug transaction.
Further investigation revealed that Espinosa was operating a Drug Trafficking Organization operating between the northeast United States, South Florida, Puerto Rico and Mexico trafficking kilo amounts of cocaine and fentanyl. Espinosa had previously been arrested federally for armed trafficking in Heroin.
Two other meetings were arranged in December where the undercover detective received a sample of fentanyl and then purchased a kilo of fentanyl from Espinosa. Another transaction for larger amounts of both cocaine and fentanyl was arranged with Espinosa and Romero to take place on January 2, 2024 at a location in Haines City.
On that date, detectives learned that Espinosa’s contacts would travel to Polk County to provide the fentanyl. During the evening hours of January 2, 2024, an undercover detective met with Espinosa; he showed the detective ten kilos of cocaine and two kilos of fentanyl in the trunk of his car.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies, working with other agencies, took Espinosa into custody. A separate vehicle involved in the drug transaction contained 35-year-old Pedro Mejia of West Palm Beach, and 22-year-old Pedro Olivares of Wimauma (the fentanyl suppliers). During the arrests, a white BMW fled the area, physically striking one of the undercover deputy’s leg (the deputy was later transported to the hospital, was treated and cleared with no serious injury). The fleeing BMW was tracked visually through the use of aerial surveillance, which directed law enforcement vehicles and members to unincorporated Winter Haven, where law enforcement strategically moved vehicles into position. The fleeing BMW was immobilized with minimal damage. The driver, 34-year-old Omar Veloz of West Palm Beach, was taken into custody without further incident. Detectives later determined that Veloz and Mejia are on federal probation for trafficking narcotics.
Detectives believe Romero was in the area of the drug transaction and fled the area undetected. Romero was later arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and booked into the Polk County Jail.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation are: 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, Florida Attorney General’s Office (Attorney General Ashley Moody), Federal Bureau of Investigations, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida (Roger B. Handberg)—Department of Justice.
Maximo Espinosa was taken into Federal custody where he faces drug trafficking charges. Veloz, Mejia, and Olivares were charged and booked into the Polk County Jail. Romero was later arrested and booked into the Polk County Jail.
As a result of the investigation, detectives seized: 12 kilograms of cocaine, 3 ½ kilograms fentanyl powder and fentanyl pills, two firearms, a vehicle, and $4,450 in U.S. currency.
Members of the Colon-Colon Central Florida drug trafficking organization were also arrested as part of the operation.
According to local law enforcement, those arrested are:
*Maximo Espinosa, Kissimmee, FL, 44
Federal drug trafficking charges expected
Criminal History: Assault with intent to commit physical injury to officer (Felony), disorderly conduct (Misdemeanor), menacing- (Felony) (1996, New York); criminal possession of a narcotic (Felony), criminal sale of a narcotic (Felony); intent to sell narcotic (Felony) (1997, New York); – criminal use of facility (Felony), drug conspiracy (Felony), possession of a firearm (Felony), dealing/receiving stolen property (Felony) (2001/2007, Pennsylvania); possession with intent to distribute heroin (Felony), possession of firearm/trafficking in heroin (FELONY), convicted felon in possession of a firearm (Felony), narcotic violation x11 (Misdemeanors) (2009- Pennsylvania) *Charged Federally and On Federal Probation* A total of 14 Felonies 12 Misdemeanors.
Omar Veloz, Jr., West Palm Beach, FL 33415, 34
Trafficking in fentanyl (over 28 grams)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Aggravated battery on LEO
Resisting officer with violence
Resisting officer without violence
Fleeing to elude
Criminal History: Battery (Misdemeanor), Carrying Concealed weapon x3 (Felony), Possession of drug paraphernalia x6 (Misdemeanor), Possession of cannabis x8 (Misdemeanor), Possession of cocaine x3 (Felony), Possession of Short barrelled shotgun/rifle (Felony), Possession of cannabis over 20 grams (Felony), Possession of cocaine with intent to sell (Felony), Possession of cannabis with intent to sell (Felony), Resist officer with violence (Felony), DUI (Misdemeanor), Driving .15 or higher with person under age of 18 (Misdemeanor), Driving while license suspended x2 (Misdemeanor), Opium Delivery 4 grams to under 30 kilograms (Felony), Sale of oxycodone (Felony), Sale of hallucinogen (Felony), Conspiracy to traffic Heroin. Total of 18 Felonies 19 Misdemeanors. *On Federal Probation*
Pedro Mejia, West Palm Beach, FL, 35
Trafficking in fentanyl (over 28 grams)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal History: Grand Theft over 100K+ (Felony), Burglary Unarmed (Felony) (Probation 2 years), Vehicle Theft (Felony), Unoccupied Burglary (Felony), Criminal Mischief (Misdemeanor), Burglary of Dwelling/Conveyance armed (Felony), Burglary of structure (Felony), Grand Theft over 300 (Felony) (State Prison 1.2 years), Possession of weapon (Felony), Possess ammunition by convicted felon (Felony), Utter False Instrument (Felony), Grand Theft X3 (Felony) (State Prison 5 Years), Utter false bad check (Felony), Possess Forged Bills 10 or more (Felony), Carrying Concealed weapon (Felony), Possession of Cannabis (Misdemeanor), Driving While License Suspended (Misdemeanor), Trespassing with posted notice (Misdemeanor) (2005/2015-Broward/Palm Beach/Martin County), *Arrested for Conspiracy to traffic Cocaine (Crack)*; *On Federal Probation* Total of 17 Felonies and 5 Misdemeanors.
Ruben Olivares, Wimauma, FL, 22
Trafficking in fentanyl (over 28 grams)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal History: possession of marijuana (M)
Pedro Luis Romero, Kissimmee, 56
Trafficking in fentanyl (over 28 grams)
Trafficking in cocaine (over 400 grams)
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Criminal History: Obstruct Without Violence (Misdemeanor)- Multiple Charges, Resist officer without violation (Misdemeanor), Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor), Robbery with Firearm (Felony) (Felony Probation 5 years), Grand Theft 100K+ (Felony)- Multiple Charges, Battery Domestic (Misdemeanor)- Multiple Charges, Fraud-Insufficient Check (Felony), Obtain goods for $150+ (Felony), Bank deposit with intent to defraud (Felony), Domestic Battery with strangulation (Felony) (Probation 1.5 years), Harrassing a witness or victim (Misdemeanor), Petit Theft (Misdemeanor)- Multiple charges, Violation of Injunction (Misdemeanor), Employee not getting workmans comp (Felony), Engage in contracting without License 1st offense (Misdemeanor) and repeat offense (Felony), Larceny Grand Theft (Felony), Falsely Indentifiying as a contractor (Felony), Fraud/Impersonating Contractor (Felony), Fraud/Contractor during state of emergency (Felony), (1991/2015- West Palm Beach/Port St. Lucie/Hillsborough County/Pasco County), *Previously Arrested Federally for Trafficking in cocaine in Panama- Went to Federal Prison* Total of 16 felonies and 18 misdemeanors.
