Operation Rooske, A Family Affair: Multi-Agency Effort Dismantles Fentanyl Trafficking Organization

Operation Rooske, A Family Affair: Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution, Ashley Moody, Attorney General, coordinate dismantling of Lakeland-based fentanyl trafficking organization

A multi-agency fentanyl trafficking investigation which lasted just over three years, resulted in the arrest of 64 people, and crippled the Lakeland-based organization.

The effort began in January of 2021 and included the coordination between the Polk County Sheriff's Office, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Attorney General's Office of Statewide Prosecution, Ashley Moody, Attorney General.

The investigations were conducted with the assistance of the State Financial Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication (S.A.F.E) Florida Program managed by the FDLE. In 2023, the Florida Legislature established state funding for the S.A.F.E program to conduct investigations designed to combat illegal fentanyl trafficking.? The grant provides financial support and assistance for approved fentanyl-related investigative costs, such as overtime, travel, investigative supplies and equipment, and training.

Organized Crime Unit detectives from the PCSO and special agents from FDLE conducted multiple undercover purchases of fentanyl from the Rooske drug trafficking organization which used the Rooske Bait and Tackle Shop (6908 US 982 N, Lakeland) and Rooske Motorcycle Parts & Accessories (6916 US 98 N, Lakeland) for drug trafficking and money laundering.

The leader of the organization was identified as 43-year old Hector Baez Torres of Lakeland.? Co-conspirators were identified as Baez Torres's wife, Pilar Rivera (41), and their daughter, Jeimylee Baez Rivera (23).? Baez Torres's right-hand man was identified to be 24-year old Miguel Castro Rivera of Auburndale.

Two suppliers of illegal drugs to the Rooske organization were identified: 26-year old Wilfredo Feliciano Velez and 59-year old Casimiro Bidot Del Valle of Kissimmee. Feliciano Velez was arrested by PCSO detectives as he was delivering three kilograms of cocaine to Hector Baez Torres. Bidot Del Valle was arrested at his residence by the Osceola County Sheriff's Office during the execution of a search warrant.

On June 20, 2024, detectives from the PCSO's Bureau of Special Investigations, along with FDLE Special Agents, executed five search warrants in Polk County (Rooske Motorcycle Parts & Accessories, Rooske Bait & Tackle Shop, the residence of Hector & Pilar, the residence of Jeimylee & Miguel, and the residence of Luis & Wilma) and one in Osceola County (the residence of Casimiro).

During the investigation, the following illegal drugs were seized: Fentanyl (742.14 grams), Cocaine 3,585.42 grams, Methamphetamine (13.08 grams), Oxycodone (57 grams), and Marijuana (228.69 grams). The total street value of the seized illegal drugs is estimated to be worth $475,348.60.

Among the assets seized were: $12,270 in US currency, five vehicles ($154,000), two personal watercrafts ($15,000), dirt bikes and off-road vehicles ($40,000), enclosed trailer ($4,000), Rooske Bait Store merchandise ($35,000), Rooske Motorcycle Shop merchandise ($55,000), jewelry/electronics/firearms/designer apparel ($67,500), bank accounts ($40,000), and liens on the residence of Hector and Pilar ($200,000). The total value of these seized assets is $604,770.00.

Those assets, combined with the organization's seized illegal drugs produced a total impact of $1,080,118.60 on the Rooske Drug Trafficking Organization.

"In essence, this fentanyl trafficking organization was the family business. The motorcycle shop and the bait shop were corrupt businesses that were used as a means for money laundering. Their customers weren't involved; they had no idea what was going on. In fact, the owners tried to project a wholesome facade while conducting their criminal enterprise behind the scenes until it all came crashing down on them, thanks to the fantastic work by our detectives." - Grady Judd, Sheriff.

While most of the arrests were buyers of illegal drugs from the Rooske organization, detectives used those arrest to lead back to and build a case against the organization.

The following were the main actors arrested during this operation:

??????? Hector Baez Torres, 43, Lakeland

Charged: Racketeering (F1), Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).

??????? Pilar Rivera, 41, Lakeland (Hector's wife)

Charged: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).

??????? Jeimylee Baez Rivera, 23, Auburndale (Daughter of Hector and Pilar)

Charged: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Trafficking in Cocaine 28g or more (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), Possession of Oxycodone (F1), Possessing a Structure for Drugs with Minor Present (F1), Negligent Child Abuse W/O Bodily Harm (F3), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3), Possession of Marijuana Resin (F3), Possession of Marijuana (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Possession of Prescription Drug without Prescription (M2).

??????? Miguel Castro Rivera, 24, Auburndale (boyfriend of Jeimylee)

Charged: Armed Trafficking in Cocaine (FL), Racketeering (F1), Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 14g or more (F1), Armed Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), Possessing a Structure for Drugs with Minor Present (F1), Use of Firearm during Commission of Felony Offense (F2), Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3), Negligent Child Abuse W/O Bodily Harm (F3), Possession of Marijuana Resin (F3), Possession of Oxycodone (F3), Possession of Marijuana (M1), Possession of Altered Firearm (M1), Resisting without Violence (M1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1), and Possession of Prescription Drug without Prescription (M2).

??????? Luis Ramos Delgado, 48, Lakeland (boyfriend of Wilma)

Charged: Racketeering (F1), Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 4G<14G (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 14G<28G (F1), Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), and Unlawful Use of 2-Way Communication Device (F3).

??????? Wilma Fuentes Laureano, 56, Lakeland (girlfriend of Luis)

Charged: Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering (F1) and Trafficking in Fentanyl 4G or More (F1).

??????? Casimiro Bidot Del Valle, 59, Kissimmee (drug supplier to the organization)

Charged: Trafficking in Fentanyl 28g or more (F1), Trafficking in Cocaine over 200 grams (F1), Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon (F2), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1).

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "Florida leads the nation in fentanyl seizures and this case is yet another example of how Sheriff Judd and his deputies are leaders in helping us remove deadly drugs from our streets. Working with Polk County Deputies and FDLE, we were able to seize 742 grams of fentanyl in two counties. That is enough poison to kill 371,000 Floridians, and I have no doubt that this drug interdiction operation saved lives."

Commissioner Mark Glass says, "It's a true testament to the partnerships we have with our local law enforcement, and our legislators, to see this inaugural SAFE investigation result in the dismantling of a dangerous drug organization that can now no longer harm the citizens of Florida."

-Brian Bruchey PIO