An elderly Cuban man, Tomas Casanova, aged 82, was taken into custody in Miami's Little Havana after Miami Police officers witnessed him conducting a crack cocaine sale to two other men in a health clinic's parking lot.
The incident unfolded around 3:55 p.m. in the Centrum Health parking area at 434 Southwest 12th Avenue, where officers were conducting a surveillance operation.
According to the arrest report, Frank Rodríguez-Diaz, aged 65, approached the group on a bicycle, engaged in a brief conversation, and handed money to Raymond Vega, aged 58.
Vega then passed the cash to Casanova, who sat nearby under a tree. The elderly man stood up, reached into the right pocket of his cargo shorts, and pulled out a white napkin containing crack rocks, distributing one to each of the men, as stated by authorities.
Upon receiving the signal to intervene, officers promptly arrested all three individuals.
Upon searching Casanova, officers discovered a white paper napkin with 11 white stones identified as crack, along with $50 in cash in his pocket.
Near where Rodríguez-Diaz and Vega were standing, two additional stones of the same substance were found.
Casanova faces charges for selling crack within 1,000 feet of a church or convenience store, possession of crack, and other drug-related offenses.
This enhanced charge, under Florida law, could escalate the crime to a level carrying sentences of up to 30 years in prison.
Casanova's bail was set at $15,000, and he also faces a federal immigration hold, suggesting that he is not a U.S. citizen and might be subject to deportation proceedings.
Court records indicate that Casanova had been previously arrested in Miami-Dade in 2014 for charges of selling or intending to sell cocaine and oxycodone, marking him as a repeat offender, which could further impact his sentencing.
Rodríguez-Diaz was charged with possession of crack and other offenses, while Vega's case was still under investigation at the time of the news release.
The arrest occurred in one of Miami's neighborhoods with a significant Cuban and Latin American population, an area frequently targeted in anti-drug operations.
Back in December 2025, "Operation El Primo" dismantled a drug trafficking network in Little Havana, Flagami, and Coral Way, resulting in at least 20 arrests, the seizure of over 22 kilograms of cocaine, and more than $120,000 in cash.
Legal Consequences and Community Impact of Drug-Related Arrests in Little Havana
What charges is Tomas Casanova facing?
Tomas Casanova is charged with selling crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church or convenience store, possession of crack, and other related drug offenses.
Why is Casanova’s charge considered aggravated under Florida law?
The charge is considered aggravated because it involves selling drugs within 1,000 feet of a church or convenience store, which under Florida law, can increase the severity of the crime and lead to a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
What is the significance of the immigration hold on Casanova?
The immigration hold indicates that Casanova is not a U.S. citizen, and he may face deportation proceedings in addition to his criminal charges.
How does this arrest relate to broader anti-drug operations in Little Havana?
The arrest is part of ongoing anti-drug efforts in Little Havana, a neighborhood with a large Cuban and Latin American community that has seen frequent drug operations, including the "Operation El Primo" in 2025.