Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Attorney General Pam Bondi released more information Friday about a large scale methamphetamine drug trafficking bust.
The multi-state drug and gun bust, dubbed "Operation Deja Vu," is related to the March 2014 Operation Hoodoo Voodoo bust, which resulted in 13 arrests and the seizure of 44 pounds of methamphetamine.
In Operation Deja Vu, investigators seized cars, nearly $100,000 in cash and more than $1.3 million worth of methamphetamine.
“Methamphetimine is the devil’s cocktail,” said DEA agent James DiCaprio.
Investigators said the criminal organization originated in Mexico and operated all over the southern half of the United States. Bondi said the organization wound up in one of the places criminals should avoid.
“These criminals made one very big mistake: They wound up in Polk County,” Bondi said. “I want to tell you if you wind up in Polk County, Grady Judd is going to find you, the DEA is gonna help him and my state prosecutor is going to lock you up for as long as we can.”
At a press conference, Judd had dozens of guns on display. He said one of them is so dangerous, it’s scary to think his deputies are up against it.
“One gun is in particular interest is the Uzi," he said. "It’s the particular gun where you just spray and pray. None of these guns will be used to shoot citizens in our community by bad guys because we took them away from bad guys.”
One of the suspects busted in the operation is accused of hiding drug money in the baby crib where his child slept. That suspect, along with 21 others, are facing a slew of drug charges.
Those suspects are:
- Christopher Lynne Trejo, 33, of Valrico
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 400 Grams, Unlawful use of Communications Device, Money Laundering, Maintaining Dwelling for Drug Use and Trafficking Methamphetamine - Daniel Tavira-Santander, 34, of Auburndale
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 Grams, and Unlawful Use of Communications Device - Jose Ruiz-Zaragoza (aka: Pedro Ortuno Ramos), 39, of Bowling Green
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams & Unlawful use of a Communication Device
Officials say Ruiz-Zaragoza is in the country illegally. - Volnavia Warters, 27, of Valrico
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams & Unlawful Use of a Communication Device - Brian Wilson, 36, of Lake Wales
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 28 grams & Unlawful use of a communication Device - Andre’ Sherrod Mitchell, 32, of Lake Wales
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams & Unlawful Use of a Communication Device - Billy Ray Monday, 51, of Indian Lake Estates
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 28 grams & Maintaining a Dwelling - Dawn Hulett, 48, of Indian Lake Estates
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Maintaining a Dwelling & Unlawful use of a Communication Device - David Carnley, 53, of Lake Wales
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 28 grams & Unlawful Use of a Communication Device - Katherine Hataway, 53, of Lithia
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams & Unlawful use of a 2-way communication device - Paulyn Mercer, 26, of Connersville
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams & Unlawful Use of a communication Device - Rafael Rivera-Calaf, 32, of Davenport
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 Grams & Unlawful Use of a Communication Device
Officials say Rivera-Calaf is in the U.S. illegallly. - Roberto Sempo-Lopez, 62, of Lake Wales
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams - Evelyn Mitchell, 56, of Lake Wales
Charges: Owning or Renting to Sell Drugs; Possession of Marijuana; Possession of Paraphernalia - Andrea Douglas, 23, of Polk City
Charges: Possession of Cannabis less than 20 grams; Possession of Clonazepam; Possession of Lorazepam; Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams - Eric Borders, 37, of Lake Wales
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 28 grams or more, and Unlawful Use of Communications Device - Jose Duarte-Alcaraz, 36, of Douglasville, Ga.
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 200 grams & Money Laundering - Arguin Perez-Vazques, 42, of Norcross, Ga.
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 200 grams & Money Laundering - Nelson Jose Luis Arias, 52, of Norcross, Ga.
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine, 200 grams - Ramon Castillo, 34, of Auburndale
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine over 200 grams - Joshua Hurst, 25, of Auburndale
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic over 200 grams of Methamphetamine - Francisco Apolinar Menendez Diaz, 25, of Pine Hills
Charges: Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine 200 grams & Unlawful Use of a Communication Device
Officials are still looking for Fernando Tejeda-Tejeda, 26, of Polk City. He is wanted on a warrant for conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine over 200 grams. Officials say he is in the U.S. illegally.
Anyone with information about Tejeda-Tejeda's whereabouts is urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.