Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd calls it the largest heroin bust in the county's history. Arrests included suppliers, sellers and users, he said.
The ring was headed by Pablo Borgen, 1806 Jupiter St., Lakeland, Judd said. Borgen was arrested Tuesday morning on three counts of trafficking heroin, he said.
Borgen, 43, also was arrested in 2008 for trafficking more than 4 grams of heroin and possessing meth, according to a sheriff's office report. His arrest record dates back to 1997 and includes 16 charges, such as battery, grand larceny and drug sale.
The sheriff's office and Immigration Customs Enforcement tried to deport Pablo Borgen, originally from the Dominican Republic, but he appealed and was able to stay.
He owned four house, including one with a swimming pool, yet some how he still was able to receive $900 a month in food stamp benefits.