UP-CLOSE LOOK: Images Of Seized Weapons | 30 Mug ShotsRAW INTERVIEW:Sheriff Talks About Seized Anti-Tank Grenade LauncherPDF FILES:News Release | Gilmore Arrest History | Carden Arrest HistoryMORE PDFs:Complete List Of Arrests | Details On Anti-Tank WeaponVIDEO REPORT:30 Arrested, Weapons Seized In "Operation Round-Up"

The crime ring was operating in at least three Central Florida counties. Detectives started investigating a rash of motorcycle thefts in Polk County and stumbled onto something bigger than they ever imagined that included both Osceola and Orange counties.

U.S. Marshal's arrested the ring leader at a house in Osceola County in January, but a federal grand jury just indicted Otis Carden on gun charges Wednesday and now the Polk County sheriff is talking about the investigation that turned up weapons that could've been used to make parts of Central Florida more like a war zone.

rawofweapons-blurb1 » More Weapons Images «» 30 Suspect Mug Shots« Even without a live round, deputies showed off the power of a WWII-era grenade launcher Thursday (weapon details). It was one of more than 20 weapons seized in an eight-month investigation into an organized crime ring dealing in drugs, guns and stolen property in places like Polk, Osceola and Orange counties.

"By their own statement, the sheriff's office brought them to their knees," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Thursday.

Sheriff Judd said it started with a rash of motorcycle thefts, but after nearly 30 arrests (complete arrest details) deputies tracked down ring leaders Otis "Cowboy" Carden (arrest history) and Terry "Ox" Gilmore (arrest history). They are men authorities said often used violence selling methamphetamine and collecting stolen weapons across Central Florida.

"He said he carried loaded guns and he made sure the folks that dealt with him carried loaded guns all the time for their own protection," Judd said. "Whenever we seized the firearms, they were, every one, fully loaded."

Judd said catching people like Carden and Gilmore became a top priority.

"It's an organized crime ring today. Is it a terrorist cell tomorrow? That's what concerns us," he said.

The sheriff's office is not identifying another man, an illegal immigrant from Mexico who supplied the ring with drugs. Deputies said they're also still searching for three others.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is getting a reputation for uncovering major Central Florida crime rings. They recently arrested two Seminole County ringleaders along with 16 other suspects in a $100 million shoplifting operation. Last month, Polk County detectives caught 21 men involved in a disturbing child pornography ring.

The sheriff's office told Eyewitness News they make the busts because they actually search for criminals, rather than just react to crimes.

Previous Stories: March 20, 2008: Sheriff Calls Child Pornography Crimes "Horrendous, Graphic" January 25, 2008: Operation 'Beauty Stop' Nabs 18 In $100 Million Theft Ring