The Polk County Sheriff’s Officer arrested 64 people and closed down two businesses in a fentanyl trafficking operation investigation in Lakeland, Florida.
According to police, ‘Operation Rooske’ began in January 2021.
Rooske Fish Bait & Tackle and Rooske Motorcycle Parts and Accessories, at 6908 and 6916 U.S. 98 North, run by 43-year-old Hector Baez Torres and his wife 41-year-old Pilar Rivera, were the businesses used to allegedly launder money from drug sales in Polk and Osceola counties, News Channel 8 reports
Sheriff Grady Judd said, “we find it ironic that while these businesses appear legitimate, this is how they washed their money from their dope deals.”
“We started this investigation arresting people that were buying drugs from their dealers and distributors…We saw these folks. They were also entrepreneurs. Many would buy five bags for $25, maybe 10. And then they would use some of it and sell part of it so even though they were paying $5 a bag, they would sell it for a profit, at least enough to pay for their drug deal.”
The majority of the arrests were street-level. However, these arrests led to cases against seven main offenders. News Channel 8 provided a list of the seven and their charges:
- Hector Baez Torres, 43, Lakeland: Racketeering (F1),: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).
- Pilar Rivera, 41, Lakeland (Hector’s wife): Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).
- – Jeimylee Baez Rivera, 23,: Auburndale (Daughter of Hector and Pilar): Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Trafficking in Cocaine 28g or more (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), Possession of Oxycodone (F1), Possessing a Structure for Drugs with Minor Present (F1), Negligent Child Abuse W/O Bodily Harm (F3), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3), Possession of Marijuana Resin (F3), Possession of Marijuana (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Possession of Prescription Drug without Prescription (M2).
- Miguel Castro Rivera, 24, Auburndale (boyfriend of Jeimylee): Armed Trafficking in Cocaine (FL), Racketeering (F1), Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 14g or more (F1), Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), Possessing a Structure for Drugs with Minor Present (F1), Use of Firearm during Commission of Felony Offense (F2), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3), Negligent Child Abuse W/O Bodily Harm (F3), Possession of Marijuana Resin (F3), Possession of Oxycodone (F3), Possession of Marijuana (M1), Possession of Altered Firearm (M1), Resisting without Violence (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Possession of Prescription Drug without Prescription (M2).
- Wilma Fuentes Laureano, 56, Lakeland (girlfriend of Luis): Charged: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1) and Trafficking in Fentanyl 4G or More (F1).-Casimiro Bidot Del Valle, 59, Kissimmee (drug supplier to the organization): Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams (F1), Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F2), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).
Rivera allegedly kept the books for the businesses and the drug operation. Torres is accused of ordering the drugs from Kissimmee suppliers, identified asCasimiro Bidot, 26, and Wilfredo Felciano, 59. According to the sheriff’s office, Miguel Castro, 24, of Auburndale, was in charge of distribution and Torres’ right-hand man.
Luis Ramos Delgado, 46, and Wilma Fuentes Laureano, 56, were also accused of narcotics sales.
Polk County Sheriff’s office reported that police found the following during the investigation: Fentanyl (742.14 grams), Cocaine 3,585.42 grams, Methamphetamine (13.08 grams), Oxycodone (57 grams), and Marijuana (228.69 grams). The total street value of the seized illegal drugs is estimated to be worth $475,348.60.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Florida leads the nation in fentanyl seizures and this case is yet another example of how Sheriff Judd and his deputies are leaders in helping us remove deadly drugs from our streets.
“Working with Polk County Deputies and FDLE, we were able to seize 742 grams of fentanyl in two counties. That is enough poison to kill 371,000 Floridians, and I have no doubt that this drug interdiction operation saved lives.”
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[Feature Photo: Polk County SO]
