64 people arrested in Florida, businesses closed during fentanyl trafficking investigation – Crime Online

Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 64 people and shut down two businesses as part of a fentanyl trafficking investigation in Lakeland, Florida.

According to the police, Operation “Rooske” began in January 2021.

Rooske Fish Bait & Tackle and Rooske Motorcycle Parts and Accessories, located at 6908 and 6916 U.S. 98 North, operated by Hector Baez Torres, 43, and his wife Pilar Rivera, 41, were the businesses used to launder money from drug sales in Polk and Osceola counties, Channel 8 News Reports

Sheriff Grady Judd said: “We find it ironic that even though these businesses appear legitimate, this is how they launder their drug money. »

“We started this investigation by arresting people who were buying drugs from their dealers and distributors… We saw these people. They were also entrepreneurs. Many of them would buy five bags for $25, maybe $10. Then they would use some of it and sell some of it. Even if they paid $5 a bag, they would sell it to make a profit, at least enough to pay for their drug dealing.”

The majority of arrests took place at street level. However, these arrests resulted in prosecutions against seven major offenders. News channel 8 provided a list of the seven people and their charges:

• Hector Baez Torres, 43, Lakeland: Racketeering (F1),: Conspiracy to commit racketeering (F1), Unlawful use of a two-way communication device (F3).
• Pilar Rivera, 41, Lakeland (wife of Hector): Conspiracy to commit racketeering (F1), illegal use of a two-way communications device (F3).
• – Jeimylee Baez Rivera, 23: Auburndale (daughter of Hector and Pilar): conspiracy to commit racketeering (F1), trafficking in cocaine of 28 g or more (F1), trafficking in fentanyl of 28 g or more ( F1), possession of oxycodone (F1), possession of a building for the sale of drugs in the presence of a minor (F1), negligent child abuse without bodily harm (F3), unlawful use of a device two-way communication (F3), possession of marijuana resin (F3), possession of marijuana (M1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and possession of prescription drugs without a prescription (M2).
• Miguel Castro Rivera, 24, Auburndale (Jeimylee’s boyfriend): Armed trafficking in cocaine (FL), racketeering (F1), conspiracy to commit racketeering (F1), trafficking in fentanyl 14 grams or more (F1), armed trafficking in fentanyl 28 grams or more (F1), possession of a drug structure in the presence of a minor (F1), use of a firearm during the commission of a felony (F2), unlawful use of a two-way communication device (F3), negligent child abuse without bodily harm (F3), possession of marijuana resin (F3), possession of oxycodone (F3), possession of marijuana (M1), possession of a modified firearm (M1), resisting without violence (M1), possession of drug paraphernalia (M1), and possession of prescription medication without a prescription (M2).
• Wilma Fuentes Laureano, 56, Lakeland (Luis' girlfriend): Charged with: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1) and Trafficking Fentanyl 4G or Greater (F1).-Casimiro Bidot Del Valle, 59, Kissimmee (Organization's Drug Supplier): Trafficking Fentanyl 28 grams or Greater (F1), Trafficking Cocaine Greater than 200 grams (F1), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).

Rivera allegedly kept the books of the drug businesses and operations. Torres is accused of ordering the drugs from suppliers in Kissimmee, identified as Casimiro Bidot, 26, and Wilfredo Felciano, 59. According to the sheriff's office, Miguel Castro, 24, of Auburndale, was responsible for distribution and was Torres' right-hand man.

Luis Ramos Delgado, 46, and Wilma Fuentes Laureano, 56, were also charged with selling narcotics.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office reported Police discovered the following items during the investigation: fentanyl (742.14 grams), cocaine (3,585.42 grams), methamphetamine (13.08 grams), oxycodone (57 grams) and marijuana (228.69 grams). The total street value of the illegal drugs seized is estimated at $475,348.60.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Florida leads the nation in fentanyl seizures and this case is another example of how Sheriff Judd and his deputies are leaders in helping us remove deadly drugs from our streets.

“Working with Polk County deputies and the FDLE, we were able to seize 742 grams of fentanyl in two counties. That's enough poison to kill 371,000 Floridians, and I'm confident this drug operation saved lives. »

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[Feature Photo: Polk County SO]