Staff Reporter | iSkyNews.com (ISC News)
Published June 24th, 2025
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POLK COUNTY, FL — In what authorities are calling the largest fentanyl seizure in Polk County history, eight suspects have been arrested and 64 pounds of deadly fentanyl—worth an estimated $4.5 million—have been seized in two major, back-to-back cartel investigations.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force led both investigations, targeting transnational operations tied to the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, both based in Mexico.
🔹 Sinaloa Cartel Investigation
This operation began in July 2024, uncovering counterfeit blue Oxycodone pills trafficked from Sonora, Mexico, through Phoenix, Arizona, and into Florida.
- On April 28, 2025, detectives met Regina Headspeth (43) in Lakeland, FL, where she sold 9 pounds of fentanyl pills for $55,000 in SAFE program funds. She was later arrested in Arizona on a PCSO warrant.
- On June 17, Adrian Munguia (24) delivered another 9 pounds of fentanyl in Polk County after traveling from Daytona Beach. He had previously attempted to collect payment for the April deal. Munguia was arrested by a joint task force.
Total Seized from Sinaloa Cartel: 35 pounds of fentanyl
Charges:
- Regina Headspeth: Trafficking Fentanyl, Drug Paraphernalia, Maintaining Vehicle for Drug Trafficking
- Adrian Munguia: Trafficking, Conspiracy, Drug Paraphernalia, Illegal Use of Communication Device
🔹 Jalisco New Generation Cartel Investigation
In a separate investigation, six people linked to the Jalisco cartel were arrested, and 29 pounds of fentanyl were seized—including drugs hidden in fake car batteries and moved through Georgia, California, and Florida.
Key arrests include:
- Adalberto Diaz (51) who transported fentanyl from Georgia to Florida and arranged cross-country trafficking.
- Gloria Trujillo Duque (44), Miguel Estrada (46), and Maria Alvarado Martinez (40), who delivered fentanyl disguised in car batteries.
- Gerardo Cervantes was caught with 13 pounds of fentanyl during a traffic stop in Georgia.
- Alejandrina Diaz (30), daughter of Adalberto, traveled to assist in trafficking efforts but was arrested immediately upon taking possession of the drugs.
Charges: Multiple counts of trafficking fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and conspiracy.
🛑 Sheriff Grady Judd Responds
“This is the largest seizure of Fentanyl in Polk County to date. These two operations alone netted 64 pounds—enough to kill millions of people. We will continue going after these dangerous cartels to stop the flow of deadly drugs into Florida and the U.S.” — Sheriff Grady Judd
🤝 Multi-Agency Partnerships
These operations were supported by:
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) — Tampa, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Birmingham offices
- U.S. Border Patrol
- Auburndale PD, Clayton County PD, Forest Park PD
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
- Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit
Funding was supported by the S.A.F.E. (State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication) Program.
📸 Images: Mugshots of suspects linked to both cartels provided by PCSO. Sinaloa suspects include Regina Headspeth and Adrian Munguia. Jalisco suspects include Gerardo Valencia Cervantes, Maria Alvarado Martinez, Adalberto Diaz, Alejandrina Diaz, Gloria Trujillo Duque, and Miguel Estrada.
📍 Read more: iSkyNews.com
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