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Grady Judd, AG bust fentanyl rings: 51 arrested
A massive multi-agency investigation has taken dozens of drug traffickers off the streets and seized enough fentanyl to kill millions of people, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - In a sweeping multi-agency operation that spanned several months and crossed jurisdictional lines, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the dismantling of two massive drug trafficking syndicates on Friday morning during a press conference in Winter Haven.
The investigation targeted high-level distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and violent gang activity, culminating in more than 48 arrests and the seizure of a lethal "tsunami of poison" drug.
According to Sheriff Judd, the two drug organizations operated with military-style precision, utilizing "stash houses" to transport drugs through hubs like Phoenix and Atlanta before reaching Polk County.
"These aren't just neighborhood drug dealers; these are organized criminals who are selling death," Sheriff Judd said, using his pointer to tap on the boards of suspects. "They don't care about your children, and they certainly don't care about the law. But today, their business is closed."
The backstory:
The investigation began in August 2025 and targeted Jemarion Young of Winter Haven. Detectives identified Young as a Florida gang leader who controlled the center of a drug trafficking organization.
Through wiretaps and undercover drug deals, detectives say they uncovered a pipeline of meth moving from the West Coast to Florida. Among those caught in the web was Joshua Puckelwartz, a Tampa rapper known as "Tommi Boy Wayne."
Puckelwartz was arrested following a high-speed chase on I-275 in January, where he allegedly crashed while in possession of 12 pounds of methamphetamine.
On Dec. 23, 2025, 42-year-old Angela Valenta was found unresponsive in a Lake Wales hotel room and detectives were able to trace the fentanyl she used back to William Benjamin Newton, Jr.
Valenta remains hospitalized with minimal brain activity and Sheriff Judd said if she passes away, Newton could face first-degree murder charges.
The people involved functioned as a multi-layered organization.
Britney Jefferson and Bruce Young handled the California-to-Florida connection; Puckelwartz and Britney Jefferson provided the product in bulk, and Jemarion Young and Michael Wells managed the local distribution and gang-affiliated sales.
"Traffickers of methamphetamine and fentanyl are literally murdering people and tearing apart families," Judd said. "The men and women who go after these drug dealers are doing a noble, but dangerous job—putting their own lives on the line, to protect their communities from the drug traffickers who are profiting from this destruction."
Sheriff Judd went on to discuss the lives of four fentanyl overdose victims. He emphasized that these individuals were the driving force behind the "relentless" nature of the probe.
What they're saying:
Uthmeier reinforced Florida's aggressive stance on "death by distribution," warning dealers that they will face more than just trafficking charges.
"In Florida, if you sell the poison that kills our people, we will find you, and we will prosecute you for murder," Uthmeier stated. "Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we have made it clear: if you are peddling fentanyl in our state, we are coming for you with everything the law allows."
There are still five people wanted in connection to the trafficking operation.
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By the numbers:
The scale of the "haul" displayed at the PCSO Operations Center was staggering:
- 51 Arrests: Including ringleaders and gang enforcers.
- Fentanyl & Meth: Enough to facilitate millions of lethal doses.
- Firearms: A significant amount of handguns and rifles were recovered during the raids.
- Cash: Tens of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds confiscated by authorities.
What's next:
State Attorney Brian Haas confirmed that the 10th Judicial Circuit is in the process of moving forward with dozens of felony cases, with many suspects facing racketeering (RICO) charges that carry heavy mandatory minimum sentences.
Dozens of other agencies assisted the Polk County Sheriff's Office in this case, including:
- Federal: DEA, ATF, U.S. Marshals, and Central Florida HIDTA.
- State: Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Highway Patrol, and the Department of Corrections.
- Local: Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Auburndale Police, and Winter Park Police.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Polk County Sheriff's Office.