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Polk County, FL - A year-long investigation in Polk County culminated in the seizure of a $50,000 gold chain and multiple arrests tied to a drug trafficking operation.
During a Friday press conference, Sheriff Grady Judd displayed a $50,000 gold chain and bracelet, items allegedly acquired through illegal drug sales, to illustrate the outcomes of the investigation.
The operation targeted a group allegedly headed by Nathaniel Nate Donald, along with 31 others, accused of distributing millions in narcotics across central Florida.
Sheriff Judd alleged the ring dealt in substances such as marijuana, fentanyl, crack cocaine, MDMA, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and ketamine.
Authorities seized about $150,000 in drugs, several firearms held by convicted felons, and the jewelry.
The arrested individuals have a combined record of 554 felony and 394 misdemeanor convictions.
Investigators traced activities via suspicious wire transfers, including one allegedly tied to Donald's purchase of the chain.
One alleged dealer, Troy Cortez Walker, faces a first-degree murder charge for a September 2024 overdose death.
A 65-year-old woman reportedly died after consuming cocaine allegedly sold by Walker while she was heading to church.
Judd highlighted this incident to connect the drug trade to fatal outcomes, stating the victim's death funded the luxurious items.
The probe, named Operation Capital City, began in August 2024 and identified key members including Bryan B Myrick and Isaiah Bubba Donald.
Judd emphasized that drug crimes involve violence, displaying seized pistols to counter views of them as low-level offenses.
He described the group as a community threat, asserting incarceration is necessary to prevent further deaths.