Cop Among 19 Arrested In Major Marijuana Distribution Bust

Polk County detectives broke up a major marijuana gang that was operating across Central Florida and one of the 19 people arrested is a police officer. "Operation Cast Cade" began in December 2007 and ended on Wednesday when deputies took into custody the last of the suspects.

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A lot of the arrests happened in the last couple of days, right up to Wednesday morning. One big break came on I-4, near the Polk County line, where investigators said they caught two people from Orlando who had just delivered drugs and were driving back with more than $13,000 in cash.

By the time deputies walked him into jail, Officer Keenan Colson had already resigned from Lake Wales Police Department. Investigators said the cop was one of 19 arrested in a major Polk County drug ring that dealt in large amounts of guns, money and marijuana.

Through cell phone wire taps, detectives learned each player had a role, including four people from Orlando, a source of some of the marijuana that dealers eventually sold in Polk County.

Sheriff Grady Judd said one man, William "Big June" Cade, ran the operation in Haines City, making big money off of the drugs and stockpiling high powered weapons, like an AK-47.

"Cade operated with the illusion that he was the Haines City version of Scarface," Sheriff Judd said.

Investigators said Cade got help from Clayton Hoerler setting up grow houses. They also said that the police officer, Keenan Colson, offered guidance behind the scenes by instructing the suspects on how to avoid police.

"This isn't over. We're coming after those we didn't get today," Sheriff Judd said.

Investigators said they're still trying to figure out how the officer was being compensated for his help with the drug ring. He faces a number of charges, including racketeering. Investigators said they also seized $60,000 in cash, 20 pounds of marijuana and 168 marijuana plants.

Sheriff Grady Judd has become known for his elaborate, well-organized news conferences following major criminal investigations. In January, his agency broke up a $100 million shoplifting ring that operated out of Seminole County. In March, Polk County detectives arrested 19 people in a major child porn investigation. In April, deputies showed off an arsenal of guns they seized in a major organized crime ring operating across Central Florida.