News and Investigations

A Mexican drug trafficking organization operating in several states, including Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia was disrupted by a multi-agency investigation led by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. 

The results of the investigation were the arrests of four people, and the seizure of fourteen kilograms of fentanyl. A fifth person is wanted. 

“Fentanyl is an enormous threat to Americans today. In addition to the tens of thousands who are killed by fentanyl-related drug overdoses each year, there is also great damage done to families and communities. I am confident that with the arrests and seizures made during this investigation, many lives have been saved in Polk County and beyond, but more work needs to be done at the southern border to cut-off the supply into the United States.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Beginning in August of 2023, members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force began an investigation of a drug trafficking organization out of Mexico that was specializing in fentanyl. The HIDTA Task Force received assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, The United States Border Patrol, and the State Attorney's Office 10th Judicial Circuit. 

During the early stages of the investigation, two kilograms of fentanyl were delivered from the trafficker based in Mexico to detectives. 

A second delivery was coordinated for an in-person transaction at a motel in Lakeland on April 5, 2024 for one kilogram of fentanyl. 

The success of the transaction in Lakeland led to another delivery; the trafficking organization agreed to ship eleven more kilograms of fentanyl to Polk County.

On April 22, 2024, 29-year old Maria Machuca-Alderete, 48-year old Maria Guadalupe-Garcia, 52-year old Sergio Garcia, and 31-year old Pedro Rodriguez-Correa arrived at a pre-determined location in Polk County to deliver the fentanyl, and all four were arrested at that time.

Rodriguez-Correa, the driver for the group, brought a six-year old boy along for the delivery. Florida Department of Children & Families responded to the scene and took custody of the child.

In addition to the evidence, detectives also seized two vehicles used by the drug traffickers, and $5,461.00 in cash.

“Florida law enforcement continues to fight the death and destruction emanating from Biden’s border crisis. The latest, the largest fentanyl bust in Polk County history—enough of this deadly poison to kill seven million Floridians. These interdiction efforts save lives and while we continue to do everything we can here in Florida to stop the opioid crisis, the skyrocketing national overdose death toll will not slow down until Biden stops empowering the Mexican drug cartels and closes the border.” – Ashley Moody, Florida Attorney General

Charges
Maria Machuca-Alderete - Trafficking Fentanyl Over 28 Grams (F1), Maintain Vehicle to Traffic Drugs (F2), Resist Officer with Violence (F3, 4-counts), Battery on Law Enforcement Officer (F3, 4-counts), Unlawful Use 2-way communication device (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1). Machuca-Alderete is in the United States illegally, and a Hold has been placed on her for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 
Maria Guadalupe-Garcia - Trafficking Fentanyl Over 28 Grams (F1), Maintain Vehicle to Traffic Drugs (F2), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).

Sergio Garcia - Trafficking Fentanyl Over 28 Grams (F1), Maintain Vehicle to Traffic Drugs (F2), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).

Pedro Rodriguez-Correa - Trafficking Fentanyl over 28 Grams (F1), Unlawful Use 2-way communication device (F3), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1). Rodriguez-Correa is in the United States illegally, and a Hold has been placed on him for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Fifth Suspect Wanted: Trafficking Fentanyl Over 28 Grams (F1), Maintain Vehicle to Traffic Drugs (F2), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).