The Polk County Sheriff's Office has arrested 17 suspects during an undercover heroin trafficking investigation.
Polk County Sheriff's undercover detectives worked alongside the Lakeland Police Department, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Office of the State Attorney.
The investigation spanned over 3 months and resulted in the arrest of 17 people, one of whom has been federally indicted in a heroin overdose death.
The Sheriff's Office says detectives are seeking further indictments in other heroin overdose deaths.
Judd says the epidemic that is sweeping the country has now reached Polk County.
"I want you to see individuals, the faces of death," he said, holding up pictures of the eight people who have died so far this year from a suspected overdose of heroin that was laced with Fentanyl.
There were five deaths all of last year in Polk County.
Judd believes many users don't realize they are playing with fire.
"Fentanyl, the size of two grains of salt is a deadly overdose. Did you hear me?" He said.
He also has strong words for Florida lawmakers who oppose a bill that would provide major prison time for anyone caught trafficking Fentanyl.
"You need to not only tell them that they are out of their mind but you need to vote them out of office as soon as you get an opportunity," Judd said.
