Two Cuban nationals aged 89 and 73 have been arrested in Miami on allegations of cocaine trafficking, after police found drugs, ammunition and two firearms reported stolen during a raid.
Cesar Valdes, 89, and Magdaleno Medina, 73, were detained on 9 September following an undercover operation at a property in Miami’s Allapattah neighbourhood, according to arrest records.
The investigation began on 19 August, when an undercover Miami Police officer allegedly bought a $60 bag of cocaine from Medina at the home on Northwest 19th Street.
Police later obtained a narcotics search warrant and returned to the property with members of the department’s SWAT team. Officers said they found about 141 grams of cocaine divided into small bags, more than 1.2kg of marijuana, ammunition and $4,880 (£3,600) in cash.
The search also uncovered a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver and a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol. Both weapons had been reported stolen, according to police records.
Medina faces eight felony charges, including cocaine trafficking while armed, possession of cocaine with intent to sell and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. Valdes faces five drug- and firearms-related felony charges.
Police said Valdes denied involvement in drug sales at the property. Both men have pleaded not guilty and were ordered to remain in custody without bond, according to local court reporting.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed detainers on both men. An ICE spokesman said the pair entered the country without inspection near Key West on separate dates in May 1980.
Medina is said to have four previous felony convictions in the United States involving cocaine smuggling, drug possession and drug trafficking. An immigration judge issued a final order of exclusion against him on 24 July 1996.
Valdes has previous Miami-Dade County charges including cocaine possession and a probation violation. An immigration judge issued a final order of exclusion against him on 10 March 1993.
The men’s lawyer declined to comment on the cases. The charges remain allegations, and a conviction has not been established.
