LAKE WALES, Fla. - Authorities in Polk County say they have

seized $15 million worth of drugs and arrested more than a dozen

people following an investigation into a suspected narcotics

operation.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests

Wednesday. It said investigators seized 128.5 pounds of crystal

methamphetamine and 36.3 pounds of cocaine.

The investigation into 30-year-old Erick Chavez and his family

took about four months. Authorities believe the family was

importing drugs from Mexico, which were then distributed in the

United States.

Chavez was arrested Tuesday and charged with conspiracy to

traffic in cocaine and conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine. He

is being held on $3 million bond. Court records didn't list an

attorney.