Florida police make major fentanyl bust as DeSantis blames Biden

Florida authorities seized just over 22 pounds of fentanyl that was brought into the United States illegally, with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) arguing President Joe Biden’s handling of the southern border contributed to the fentanyl making its way into his state.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that it arrested three men involved in the investigation of fentanyl that had been brought from Mexico to California before getting transported to Florida. The street value of the 10 kilograms, which is equal to just over 22 pounds, of fentanyl found by the sheriff’s office is worth approximately $2.5 million, with Sheriff Grady Judd warning that it is enough to kill five million people “if taken in overdose amounts,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

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“These drugs are extremely dangerous, and the people bringing them across an unsecure border are evil,” Judd said. “Of the three men arrested during this investigation, two are in the country illegally and the Sinaloa cartel drug trafficking organization is the source of supply for this poison. I am very thankful for our local, state, and national law enforcement partners, including state prosecutors Mr. Haas and Ms. Lopez, for working together to make this a successful investigation.”

The three men arrested are Ruperto Rocha, 67, Juan Manuel Gutierrez Medina, 57, and Juan Manuel Contreras Gutierrez, 25, with the latter two being in the U.S. illegally.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

DeSantis also commented on the sheriff’s office’s fentanyl bust, claiming that Florida and other states are “forced to pick up the slack” due to the Biden administration not addressing the border. The border crisis has been a major focus for many Republican lawmakers.

“States like Florida are forced to deal with the consequences of Biden’s refusal to control the border,” DeSantis posted on social media. “Thank you to the law enforcement officers who are stepping up to protect our state.”

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All three men have been charged with trafficking fentanyl over 28 grams, which warrants a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years and a $500,000 fine, the sheriff’s office told the Washington Examiner.

The 10 kilograms seized by Polk County officials is the largest bust made by officials to date. The previous record was a year ago when the sheriff’s office seized 11 pounds, which would have been enough to kill 2.7 million people, the sheriff’s office said.