A man charged with stealing a golf cart in The Villages is among those implicated in a behind-bars drug and cigarette ring at the Lake County Jail.
The sheriff’s special investigations unit recently concluded a three-month investigation focusing on several individuals who were actively introducing contraband into the Lake County Detention Center. The investigation began in May when detention deputies at the jail began to identify and intercept an increased amount of narcotics coming into the jail.
A total of 10 suspects have been identified and warrants obtained, nine of whom have extensive criminal histories. These charges come following an investigation that consisted of monitoring inmate phone conversations, conducting surveillance within the jail, and other unique investigative techniques that cannot be disclosed.
Among those involved in the smuggling ring is 32-year-old Lance Garrett Hanson of Fruitland Park, who was arrested in March after he allegedly stole a Villager’s golf cart from a Circle K. You can read more about that incident HERE.
Also, implicated in the ring is Christina Simone Obregon, 24, of Lady Lake who earlier this year blamed her erratic driving on a small dog she had in the car with her and her dark sunglasses. Law enforcement discovered drugs in her car. You can read more about that incident HERE.
Detectives say that inmates used items including a fire extinguisher pin and a screw to drill a hole in the plexiglass windows in the visitation area, which allowed for narcotics to be passed through to inmates during their visits. Some of the confiscated items include drugs such as marijuana, Xanax, and Suboxone, as well as cigarettes.
The Suboxone was sent in letters via the U.S. Postal Service hidden beneath the postage stamp. Other narcotics were left in pieces of trash where inmate work crews were working to clean up roadways. The inmate would then collect the items and bring them into the jail.
The suspects involved used the jail inmate phone system as their primary means of communication and coordination.
