Largest seizure ever of heroin by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office
PCSO Press Release:
“These are extraordinarily dangerous illegal drugs, and, as we have seen, the Mexican drug trade is extremely violent and deadly. Our detectives did an outstanding job of removing these drugs—and dealers—from causing future misery, violence, and death. Without question, lives have been saved as a result of this investigation.” —Grady Judd, Sheriff
Methamphetamine Trafficking Investigation:
Polk County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives developed information in April of 2019 that a source of illegal narcotics was selling methamphetamine out of southern California. Detectives developed information on suspects in California that resulted in several undercover methamphetamine transactions by mail.
On August 1, 2019, PCSO detectives worked with the Inland Crackdown Allied Taskforce in Bloomington, California regarding a face-to-face narcotics transaction with suspects developed by PCSO detectives. An undercover PCSO detective agreed to purchase 100 pounds of Methamphetamine from the California based supplier of Mexican Methamphetamine. Detectives met 34-year-old Albaro Armando Carillo Jr. (illegally in the United States from Mexico) of Compton, California at a location in Bloomington, California. With Carillo was 30-year-old Jose Juan Tafolla-Navarrete (illegally in the United States from Mexico) of Compton, California. They produced 100 pounds of Methamphetamine from boxes and bags from their vehicle and placed them into the back seat of the undercover vehicle—there were three boxes and two large 30 gallon bags that contained 100 plastic containers. Each of the plastic containers held one (1) pound of methamphetamine. The undercover detective was able to confirm one of the boxes contained multiple containers of methamphetamine.
Both men were taken into custody and arrested for Trafficking in methamphetamine; they were booked into the San Bernardino County Jail.
Not all methamphetamine transactions and seizures are described in this news release. A combined 139 pounds of Methamphetamine was seized during the overall investigation. The street value of the Methamphetamine is approximately $4.6 million.
The methamphetamine trafficking investigation led to information about other traffickers of illegal narcotics.
Heroin Trafficking Investigation (Chicago):
Detectives developed information about a large-scale heroin trafficker from Chicago, Illinois.
On November 26, 2019, a Polk County Sheriff’s Office undercover detective made arrangements to heroin delivered to Polk County. The source of supply was a mutli-kilogram distributor based out of Chicago (later identified as 38-year-old Francisco Reyna-Duran, illegally in the United States from Mexico). The arrangement was that the source of heroin supply would depart from Chicago and arrive in Polk County on November 27, 2019.
Reyna-Duran flew to Florida and arranged to meet with an undercover deputy in Lakeland. The multi-kilogram shipment of heroin was further discussed and arrangements were made to deliver the drugs. The heroin was driven to Florida by an accomplice.
On November 28, 2019, detectives Reyna-Duran at an undercover location in the unincorporated area near Winter Haven. Reyna-Duran arrived in an older model Chrysler minivan which was being driven by a Hispanic woman (later identified as 25-year-old Susana Salgado-Solis). Reyna-Duran removed a backpack from the van and entered the undercover location where he and Salgado-Solis were taken into custody. Both were charged with Trafficking in Heroin.
A total of approximately 3.25 kilos of suspected pure heroin were recovered during the arrest. During an interview, Salgado-Solis stated she had two children (5 and 6 years old) who she left behind at a hotel while she and Reyna-Duran delivered the heroin. Detectives responded to the hotel and recovered the children who were with an unknown Hispanic male. The unknown Hispanic was identified by his Illinois driver’s license as 41-year-old Armando Fernandez. Fernandez was uncooperative. DCF responded and took custody of the children. During the interaction with detectives, Fernandez was belligerent and called 9-1-1 stating one of the children was having a medical episode and needed an ambulance immediately. Both children were in good health. Fernandez was arrested for Misuse of 9-1-1.
Heroin Trafficking Investigation (Texas):
On November 26, 2019, a PCSO undercover detective arranged the purchase of a kilo of heroin from a source in Houston, Texas. Arrangements were made to have 34-year-old Julio Cesar Don Juan deliver the heroin to Polk County. Don Juan agreed and indicated he would arrive on November 27, 2019.
In the early morning hours of November 28, 2019, Don Juan called and stated he was in Lakeland and ready to meet. Detectives arranged to meet Don Juan at a location in unincorporated Polk County. Don Juan and another man (later determined to be his brother, 32-year-old Rene Don Juan-Gonzalez) arrived at the meeting location in a white Range Rover SUV. While the undercover detective met with Don Juan, Don Juan’s brother exited the Range Rover and placed one kilogram of heroin in the undercover vehicle. Both were then taken into custody– Juan-Gonzalez without incident and Don Juan after a brief foot pursuit.
The Don Juan brothers were both arrested and charged with Trafficking in Heroin and booked into the Polk County Jail.
The recovered heroin weighed approximately 1.25 kilograms. The Range Rover was determined to meet the criteria for forfeiture and it was seized. Julio Don Juan was found to be in possession of approximately $1,800 in US currency which was also processed for forfeiture.
Not all heroin transactions and seizures are described in this news release. A total of 5 ½ kilos of heroin were seized during the investigation. The street value of the Heroin is $4.9 million. Approximately 165,000 “hits” were taken off the street.
Those arrested during this completed investigation are below. No other arrests are expected.
Albaro Armando Carillo Jr. (illegally in the United States)
DOB: 7/2/1985
Compton, California
Charge: Trafficking in methamphetamine
Criminal history:
11/20/2005 – Casola century
Obstruct/Etc public Officer
06/24/2009 – Casola Compton Muni
Obstructs/Resist Public Officer/Etc
Jose Juan Tafolla-Navarrete (illegally in the United States)
DOB: 7/16/1989
Compton, California
Charge: Trafficking in methamphetamine
Criminal history:
08/05/2019 – ICE
Non-Immigrant overstay
Alien Removal Under Section 212 and 237
Francisco Reyna-Duran (Chicago Distributor) – (illegally in the United States)
DOB: 01/24/1981
Address: Mexico
Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin of 28 grams (2 counts), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Criminal History:
11/18/2004 – Unified PD Dept of Greater Salt Lake
Possess Cocaine
05/07/2005 – CBP (Border Control) Noyes
Alien Inadmissibility Under Section 212
Susana Salgado-Solis (Chicago Courier)
DOB: 06/04/1994
Chicago, Illinois
Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams, Conspiracy to Traffic in Heroin over 28 grams, Child Neglect, Possess Vehicle knowingly to Traffic Drugs
Criminal History:
11/23/2013 – Kenosha CSO
Resisting Or Obstructing An Officer
Underage Drinking-Possess/Consume
Julio Cesar Don Juan (Houston Distributor)
DOB: 10/19/1985
Houston, Texas
Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams (2 counts), Conspiracy to Traffic Heroin
Criminal History:
11/20/2003 – DEA Corpus Christi
Marijuana Smuggl
12/20/2005 – USM Houston
Prob Violation
02/10/2006 – USM Corpus Christi
Illegal Entry
02/05/2005 – Fort Bend CSO – Richmond
Fail to Identify Giving/False Fictitious Info
07/02/2005 – Sugar Land PD
Driving While License Invalid
09/25/2010 – Fort Bend CSO – Richmond
DWI
Rene Don Juan-Gonzalez (Houston Distributor’s brother)
DOB: 08/30/1987
Houston, Texas
Charges: Trafficking in Heroin over 28 grams
Criminal History:
05/28/2005 – Fort Bend CSO – Richmond
Fail to Identify Giving False/Fictitious Info
02/05/2006 – Brenham PD
Fail To Identify Giving False /Fictitious Info
10/20/2006 – Texas HWY Patrol
Poss Marij – Felony
10/06/2007 – Fort Bend CSO –Richmond
DWI
10/20/2007 – Richmond PD
DWI
07/12/2009 – Houston PD
DWI
04/11/2010 – Houston PD
DWI
10/02/2011 – Houston PD
Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member
05/26/2012 – Houston PD
Assault Int/Reck Breath/Circ Family Mem Prev Conv
03/29/2013 – Houston PD
Liquor Violation Class C
07/28/2013 – Houston PD
Assault Class C
08/24/2013 – Houston PD
DWI
12/25/2015 – Strafford PD
Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member
03/01/2019 – Stafford PD
Indeceny w/ Child Sexual Contact
Armando Fernandez (with children at hotel)
DOB: 03/14/1978
Chicago, Illinois
Charge: Misuse of 9-1-1
Criminal History:
04/18/2007 – Kenosha County Sheriff
Aggravated Battery
Recklessly Endangering Safety
Habitual Offender
04/22/1997 – Chicago PD
Poss Cannabis
06/09/1997 – Chicago PD
Criml Sexual Abuse/Force
09/09/1997 – Chicago PD
Possess Cannabis
Public Peace (Direct Filed)
09/26/2002 – Chicago PD
Possess Cannabis
10/03/2003- Chicago PD
Possess Cannabis
06/12/2005 – Chicago PD
Carry/Poss Concealed Weapon
Agg Unlawful Use of Weapon
11/11/2005 – Chicago PD
Issuance of Warrant
02/24/2006 – Chicago PD
Poss Cannabis
04/09/2006 – Chicago PD
Possession of Weapon
Possession of Weapon
Possession of Weapon
Possession of Weapon
Weapon Offense (Aggravated)
Weapon Offense (Aggravated)
04/29/2007 – Chicago PD
Domestic Battery
09/21/2007 – Chicago PD
Local Ordinance
Operate Unisured Mtr Vehicle
Viol Extradition Act – Obstruct Justice
10/14/2007 – Chicago PD
Issuance of Warrant
12/03/2008 – Chicago PD
Predatory Crim Sex Asst/Child
Agg Crim Sexl Ass/t Victim < 9
05/15/2009 – Chicago PD
Dangerous Drugs
Man/Del 15<100 Grm Heroin/Anlg
Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon
Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon
Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon
Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon
Battery/Bodily Harm – Parole Violation Warrant
Resist Peace Officer
Illeg Poss Ammunition/Foid
08/09/2010 – Chicago PD
Issuance of Warrant – Domestic Violence
05/23/2014 – Chicago PD
Man/Del 15/+ GM Heroin/Analog
Unlaw Possess Weapon by Felon
07/16/2019 – Chicago PD
Seat Belt Required/Driver
Seal Belt Required/Driver
No Restraint/Child Under 4 Yrs
Illegal Poss/Tranp Liq – Driver
Local Ordinance
06/21/2011 – FBI Chicago
Poss WIT Heroin
Poss WIT Heroin
08/07/2018 – USM Chicago
Probation Violation
10/14/2005 – Harris CSO –Houston
Assault Causes Bodily Harm Family Member
