'Swipe Left For Meth' Drug Sting Operation Nets Dealers: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — Grindr is not only an app used for dating but drug dealers are using it to sell drugs, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Narcotics deputies launched a six-month undercover operation, "Swipe Left For Meth," after they were notified during the summer by Heartland CrimeStoppers that local drug dealers were selling drugs on Grindr. PCSO detectives created undercover profiles in July within the app and began conversations with suspects who were accused of selling selling methamphetamine, cocaine, Ecstasy, LSD, Fentanyl and marijuana, deputies said.

“We’ve known for some time that suspects will use the Internet and social media to prey upon children online, or to engage in prostitution, but this is something we are seeing more and more of in Polk County – suspects who are using dating apps to sell illegal narcotics," Sheriff Grady Judd said.

Detectives filed 159 total felony and 72 total misdemeanor charges against the suspects during the investigation, a news release said.

During the investigation, officers found:

• 14 firearms seized (two were reported as stolen)
• Approximately 280 grams of methamphetamine purchased (street value: approximately $14,000)
• Approximately 3 grams of cocaine purchased
• Approximately 113 grams (130 pills) of Ecstasy
• Approximately 1.5 grams of Fentanyl/heroin
• Approximately 1 gram of LSD
• Approximately 28 grams of psychedelic mushrooms
• Approximately 645 grams of marijuana

Detectives obtained arrest warrants for these eight (8) suspects who are at large, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office

Adam Trembley, DOB 08/14/1982 of Winter Haven
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Sale of marijuana
• Possession of marijuana WITS
• Use of two-way communication device to commit felony
• Possession of paraphernalia

Angelo Lopez, DOB 10/28/1986 of Lake Wales
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Use of two-way communication device to commit felony
• Possession of paraphernalia

Christopher Wright, DOB 04/16/1989 of Winter Haven
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Use of two-way communication device to commit felony
• Possession of paraphernalia

Donovan Brandt, DOB 03/18/1983 of Lake Wales
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Possession of paraphernalia

Jesse Velez-Pagan, DOB 10/03/1990 of Dundee
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Use of two-way communication device to commit felony
• Possession of paraphernalia

John Rials, DOB 12/05/1978 of Winter Haven
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Use of two-way communication device to commit felony
• Possession of paraphernalia

Matthew Gamwell, DOB 07/07/1982 of Lake Wales
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Use of two-way communication device to commit felony
• Possession of paraphernalia

Willy Dunn, DOB 11/26/1994 of Lake Wales
• Sale of meth
• Possession of meth WITS
• Possession of paraphernalia