An undercover investigation into drug trafficking in central Florida (USA) concluded with 85 arrests and the seizure of illicit drugs valued at millions of dollars, as part of a smuggling carried out on regular flights from California to this southern state, reported the authorities on Friday (19.08.2022).
The investigation called “Operation Flying Ice” began in September 2020 with a search warrant in Winter Haven (in Polk County, Florida), where methamphetamine was seized. From that point on, detectives continued to make narcotics purchases from dealers in Winter Haven.
There they learned that large quantities of methamphetamine were being smuggled from California to Florida in checked luggage on domestic flights.
According to a statement from the Polk Sheriff, in February 2022, wiretapping within the criminal organization of drug traffickers was authorized through the courts. As a result, 85 suspects were arrested and charged with 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors.
Additionally, detectives served 14 search warrants in Auburndale, Davenport, Polk City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven and Riverview (all locations in Florida), as well as Fresno, California.
In the searches, authorities seized illegal drugs, firearms and more than $200,000 in cash. Among the drugs seized are cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and a strong pain reliever known as Oxycodone.
According to Polk Sheriff Grady Judd, this was the largest wiretapping investigation in the county’s history, and leads are still being pursued for further arrests.
“Operation Flying Ice” spanned nearly two years and involved detectives from Central Florida’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), in collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the country.
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