A multi-agency investigation headed by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office disrupted a Mexican drug trafficking operation that operated in multiple states, including Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.
The results of the investigation were the arrests of four people and the seizure of fourteen kilograms of fentanyl. A fifth person is wanted, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
“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,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
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Members of the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force initiated an investigation into a Mexican drug trafficking enterprise that specialized in fentanyl starting in August 2023. The State Attorney’s Office for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, the United States Border Patrol, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement all provided support to the HIDTA Task Force.
Two kilograms of fentanyl were sent to detectives by the Mexican trafficker in the early phases of the inquiry.
On April 5, 2024, a second delivery of one kilogram of fentanyl was arranged for an in-person transaction at a motel in Lakeland.
Following the successful sale in Lakeland, the trafficking group consented to send eleven further kilograms of fentanyl to Polk County.
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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 group’s driver, brought a six-year-old boy along for the delivery. The 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.
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).
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