In June 2025, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the largest fentanyl seizure in the county’s history, marking a major victory in the fight against international drug trafficking. The operation, which began in July 2024, targeted two of Mexico’s most notorious cartels: the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel.
The multi-agency investigation, led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, resulted in the arrest of eight individuals with alleged cartel ties and the seizure of 64 pounds of fentanyl—enough to potentially kill 14.5 million people. Sheriff Judd emphasized the deadly impact of the drug, stating that the amount confiscated could have wiped out entire states if distributed.
The cartels used sophisticated smuggling techniques, including concealing fentanyl in fake car batteries and disguising pills as oxycodone. Undercover detectives coordinated multiple shipments and purchases to intercept the drugs before they reached the streets. The operation was supported by several federal and state agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Sheriff Judd praised the collaborative effort, noting that the bust not only disrupted a major trafficking network but also likely saved countless lives. “These people didn’t care about you or your loved ones or your children—but we did,” he said during a press conference.
This crackdown reflects Judd’s long-standing commitment to aggressive anti-drug enforcement and highlights the growing threat of fentanyl in the U.S. With this operation, Polk County has sent a clear message to drug traffickers: their deadly trade will not go unchecked.
Source: The Ledger
