Major drug trafficking operations in Central Florida result in 51 arrests

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force arrested 51 suspects and seized significant quantities of narcotics during two multi-agency operations.

Bloodline and Flatline operations seized 78 pounds of methamphetamine, 14.55 pounds of fentanyl, 13 firearms and approximately $20,000.

Investigations focused on a drug trafficking organization operating in Polk, Hillsborough, Osceola, Orange, Volusia and Pasco counties. Detectives used wiretapping and undercover surveillance, as well as resources from the State Assistance to Eliminate Fentanyl grant, to infiltrate the organization.

The investigation into Operation Bloodline began in August 2025. Detectives zeroed in on Jemarion Young of Winter Haven, a known Florida gang leader. Young hired Spencer Leonard Jr. of Bartow to distribute drugs in Central Florida. He is accused of collaborating with. He is currently being held in the Polk County Jail on various charges, including racketeering, conspiracy and 12 counts of methamphetamine trafficking.

Investigators uncovered a supply route for methamphetamine moving from California to Polk County. On December 15, 2025, detectives intercepted a delivery containing 10 pounds of meth. Britney Jefferson of Winter Haven was assigned to coordinate this shipment. She is the sister of two men arrested in a drug trafficking case in 2022.

Attorney General James Uthmeier explained the scope of the distribution network. “This was a highly organized, fentanyl-pushing enterprise operating in Central Florida with ties as far as California,” Uthmeier said. “We will continue to dismantle these organizations from top to bottom. Anyone marketing these poisons in Florida will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

Operation Flatline began after a serious fentanyl overdose on December 23, 2025. Angela Valenta, 42, was found unresponsive in a Lake Wales hotel room and is currently hospitalized with minimal brain function. William Benjamin Newton Jr. is accused of supplying fentanyl to Valenta. During his arrest, authorities seized 6.1 kilograms of fentanyl and 1.4 kilograms of cocaine.

Sheriff Grady Judd spoke about the danger these operations pose to the public. “Methamphetamine and fentanyl traffickers are literally killing people and tearing families apart,” Judd said. “The men and women who go after these drug dealers are doing a noble but dangerous job, risking their own lives to protect their communities from the drug traffickers who profit from this destruction.”

The operations involved several prominent figures, including a Tampa rapper named Joshua Puckelwartz, who used the name Tommi Boy Wayne.

Puckelwartz was arrested on Jan. 28, 2026, after he fled a traffic stop on Interstate 275 and crashed his vehicle. Approximately 12 kilos of methamphetamine were seized. Michael Wells of Winter Haven was also arrested for allegedly participating in drug purchases with Young and Puckelwartz.

The investigation also focused on gang members who turned to drug trafficking shortly after being released from prison. Bruce Young was released on November 29, 2025, following a seven-year prison sentence for methamphetamine trafficking and allegedly contacted Young the same day to continue operations.

Jerell Carr, also a gang member, was released in June 2025 and arrested again in January 2026 after fleeing authorities in Lakeland with cocaine and fentanyl in his possession.

Steven Jackson of Lakeland was identified as the organization’s fentanyl supplier. Jackson, a gang member, is currently in the Polk County Jail. He faces charges of armed amphetamine trafficking, armed fentanyl trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

William Benjamin Newton Jr. if Valenta dies from an overdose. He could face first-degree murder charges.

Most of the 51 suspects arrested remain in custody while legal proceedings continue. Authorities are still searching for Young, who has an outstanding arrest warrant for racketeering and smuggling.

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