POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd was joined by Florida AG James Uthmeier and State Attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit Brian Haas for Friday's press conference about fentanyl, methamphetamine and gang activity.
Sheriff Judd announced on Feb. 13 that Operation Bloodline and Operation Flatline led to 51 arrests, and the seizure of 78 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 15 pounds of fentanyl, 13 firearms, and about $20,000.
WATCH Sheriff Grady Judd announces arrests, seizures in drug trafficking crackdown
According to PCSO, detectives initiated their investigation into Jemarion Young of Winter Haven in August of 2025. PCSO said Young is known to be a Florida gang leader. Young was found to be an associate of Spencer Leonard, Jr. of Bartow.
Young was located with his associate Spencer Leonard, Jr. of Bartow. Others were identified and linked to a drug trafficking organization operating in Polk, Hillsborough, Osceola, Orange, Volusia, and Pasco counties.
PCSO said undercover detectives infiltrated the group and made transactions for methamphetamine and fentanyl.
After finding out about the methamphetamine supply line from California to Polk County, detectives seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine on Dec. 15, 2025.
“Traffickers of methamphetamine and fentanyl are literally murdering people and tearing apart families," Sheriff 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."
Here are some of the people arrested in the two operations: 36-year-old Jemarion Young of Winter Haven, 37-year-old Britney Jefferson of Winter Haven, 33-year-old Joshua Puckelwartz of Tampa, 34-year-old Michael Wells of Winter Haven, 32-year-old Steven Jackson of Lakeland, 37-year-old Bruce Young of Lakeland, and 35-year-old Jerell Carr of Lakeland.
Federal officials monitor Middle East threats, experts warn of attacks and cyberattacks in the US
The FBI says its counterterrorism teams are ready to mobilize as experts warn of potential sleeper cell attacks, lone wolf violence, and Iranian cyberattacks targeting U.S. systems.
