A two-year undercover operation in central Florida resulted in 85 arrests and the seizure of illegal drugs with an estimated value of more than $12.8 million, authorities said Friday.The Central Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force led “Operation Flying Ice” in partnership with local, state and federal agencies. The two-year operation began in September 2020 after detectives seized a pound of methamphetamine in Winter Haven.Detectives with the task force made undercover drug purchases from local dealers until they learned that methamphetamine was being smuggled into the state in checked luggage on domestic flights from California.In February this year, detectives initiated a wiretap investigation to intercept messages between suspected drug traffickers.Detectives served 14 search warrants in Auburndale, Davenport, Polk City, Lake Wales, Winter Haven, and Riverview, in Florida, as well as in Fresno, Calif. Eighty-five suspects were arrested and charged with a total of 355 felonies and 93 misdemeanors, authorities said.Drugs seized included 268 pounds of methamphetamine, 180 pounds of cannabis, 31 pounds of cocaine 3.4 pounds of MDMA, 6.8 ounces of Fentanyl, and 173 Oxycodone pills. In addition to drugs, investigators seized 49 firearms, a stolen motorcycle and $235,000 in cash. “Im so very proud of our detectives and the agents and law enforcement officers who partnered with us to get these dangerous drugs and felons off the street,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. “This is the single largest seizure of drugs and arrests made in the history of Polk County during an undercover wiretap investigation. We will continue to follow up leads and make more arrests, so those who think they got away from us – think again.”
