News and Investigations

On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, the HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) task force and PCSO undercover detectives arrested three suspects for drug trafficking and other charges, and seized 7 kilos of Methamphetamine (street value: $530,000). Two of the three suspects are in the country illegally.

"It absolutely makes my blood boil when I hear about drug dealers who have already been arrested for trafficking in drugs AND deported back to Mexico, coming back into this country to sell illegal and deadly narcotics. They need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and remain locked up, because they have proven they have no regard for federal or state laws." - Grady Judd, Sheriff

During the investigation, detectives received information that a drug trafficker was willing to sell a large amount of Meth in Polk County. The suspect was positively identified as 41-year-old Rafael Echeverria-Islas from West Palm Beach. Islas was arrested in the past for trafficking in narcotics, and deported back to Mexico, and detectives learned that he was trying to "establish himself once again" as a prominent Meth trafficker, settling in Florida and ultimately Polk County.

Islas arranged to meet with detectives and his Lakeland meth "supplier" in the Winter Haven area - that supplier was positively identified as 48-year-old Ricardo Zamora. Zamora brought 5 kilos of Meth to sell to the undercover detectives. Islas also arranged a meeting with his Tampa "supplier," 56-year-old Jaime Hernandez Salas. Salas brought 2 kilos of Meth to the drug buy. He is also in the country illegally. 

Detectives immediately arrested all three suspects and ICE holds were placed on Islas and Salas in the county jail. They are all three being held on no bond. Detectives confirmed that Zamora is on federal probation for trafficking in narcotics. 

Rafael Echeverria-Islas has been charged with:

• 2 counts Trafficking in Meth over 200 grams (F1)
• 2 counts Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams (F1)
• Possession of a structure to traffic in drugs (F2)
• Possession of paraphernalia (M1)

Islas' criminal history includes a previous felony and misdemeanor in Polk County for trafficking in Meth and no valid DL, and federal charges for conspiracy to distribute illegal narcotics and possession of Meth. 

Ricardo Zamora has been charged with:

• Trafficking in Meth over 200 grams (F1)
• Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams (F1)
• Possession of a structure to traffic in drugs (F2)
• Possession of paraphernalia (M1)

Zamora's criminal history includes 8 previous felonies and 4 misdemeanors in Texas and Florida, with arrests for drug trafficking, drug sales, armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, carrying concealed weapon, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and theft. He's on federal probation for drug trafficking.

Jaime Hernandez Salas has been charged with:

• Trafficking in Meth over 200 grams (F1)
• Conspiracy to traffic in Meth over 200 grams (F1)
• Possession of a structure to traffic in drugs (F2)
• Possession of cocaine (F3)
• Possession of paraphernalia (M1)

Salas' criminal history includes a previous arrest in Texas for counterfeit paperwork.