Polk County HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) Task Force members on Tuesday, conducting an investigation about the sale of Meth in Polk County, arrested seven suspects, and seized: over 50 lbs of methamphetamine (Meth), three vehicles (a Ford Expedition, a Chrysler 300, and a Nissan Murano), three motorcycles, $13,300 cash, and three firearms.
Undercover detectives purchased Meth and/or observed others purchasing Meth from a street level drug dealer, identified as 38-year-old Lydia Santiago of  Kissingen Avenue in Bartow, over an approximately 11-month time period.
Detectives conducted a traffic stop on Santiago’s vehicle on Tuesday, and located over 3 lbs. of Meth in her SUV, along with $8,000 cash. Santiago’s three children were also in the SUV. Santiago was arrested, along with her front-seat passenger, 20-year-old Daquon Gunter-Santel of the 2400 block of Blaire Circle South in Lakeland, who is currently on probation. The children were all turned over to DCF. Â
At Santiago’s residence, investigators found a firearm and approximately .5 lb of Marijuana. 23-year-old Jorge Morales-Vallejo was inside the residence at the time, and was arrested. While detectives were there, 22-year-old Arturo Sanchez and 24-year-old Angel Castro arrived, and detectives found 2 lbs. of Meth in their vehicle.Â
At another residence in the 200 block 24th Court SW in Winter Haven, detectives seized of a small amount of Meth and paraphernalia, and $5,300 cash. 35-year-old Jose Torres who lives at that address was arrested. Â
A search warrant conducted at a house in the 500 block of L SE in Winter Haven, used as a “stash house” by Arturo Sanchez and Angel Castro turned up 46 lbs. of Meth and two firearms. One of the firearms was confirmed stolen out of Brevard County. Â At another location, in the 1500 block of East Georgia Street, detectives arrested 61-year-old Edwin Hall for being a possession of over one ounce of Meth.
Suspects arrested:
Lydia Santiago, DOB 3/18/1974, of Kissingen Avenue in Bartow; charges: Trafficking in Meth Over 200 Grams; Maintaining Vehicle for Drug Use with Minors Present; Possession of Marijuana Over 20 Grams
Daquon Gunter-Santel, DOB 5/2/1992, of Blaire Circle South in Lakeland; charges: VOP (Robbery with Firearm)
Jorge Morales-Vallejo, DOB 7/17/1989, of East Georgia Street, lot 314, in Bartow; charges: Battery on LEO; Resisiting Arrest With Violence; Possession of Paraphernalia
Arturo Sanchez, DOB 3/2/1990, of 24th Court SW in Winter Haven; charges: Trafficking in Meth Over 200 Grams
Angel Castro, DOB 5/17/1988, of 24th Court SW in Winter Haven; charges: Trafficking in Meth Over 200 Grams
Jose Torres, DOB 9/12/1977, of 24th Court SW in Winter Haven; charges: Possession of Meth; Possession of Paraphernalia
Edwin Hall, DOB 8/29/1951, of East Georgia Street, lot 308, in Bartow; charges: Trafficking in Meth Over 28 Grams; Maintaining Dwelling for Drug Trafficking; Possession of Paraphernalia
