WESH News (Orlando, Florida)
SANFORD, Fla. -- Drug agents picked up more than a dozen people in Seminole, Orange, and Volusia counties Thursday. The people are allegedly members of two heroin distribution operations.
Joel Rodriguez, 25, is accused of selling heroin out of his state Road 436 barber shop, even after he was arrested, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.
Agents said he’d give orders from jail to his girlfriend and she’d keep the operation going. She was also arrested for trafficking in heroin.
The barber shop is now closed. Investigators said SR 436 is a major drug corridor, especially for heroin.
“The street-level heroin dealings that have gone on and the amount of the arrest that have gone on by all the local agencies have been substantial,” said Deputy Chief Pete Gauntlett of the Orlando Police Department.
Police said Julio Gonzalez was the head of the group. They said his Winter Springs home had secret compartments and hiding places throughout. For example, they said he had false picture frames that had real pictures in them, but were capable of holding a 2-pound package.
Agents said the two groups were moving more than 1 ½ kilos each month. Some people who have been indicted have not been picked up yet.
Arrests were also made in Miami Thursday.
Investigators said tackling the problem is a must. Already this year, 37 people locally have died because of heroin.
The agents said the heroin would arrive in Miami and then it would be sent by cars to Central Florida for distribution.