In a case drawing attention due to the age of those involved, two elderly Cuban men were taken into custody on Wednesday in Miami. They stand accused of running a drug den in the Allapattah neighborhood, with one of the suspects being 89 years old.
According to Local 10 News, Miami police apprehended Magdaleno Medina, aged 73, and Cesar Valdés, aged 89, at a residence located in the 1700 block of Northwest 19th Street, which both had listed as their home address.
The arrests followed an undercover investigation that began in August when detectives purchased cocaine directly from the residence. Medina allegedly sold an undercover officer a bag of the substance for $60.
On Wednesday afternoon, a SWAT team executed a raid on the property, discovering over 140 grams of cocaine and nearly 1,300 grams of marijuana. Additionally, they confiscated a .38 caliber revolver and more than a dozen rounds of ammunition.
Both men are facing several serious charges, including armed trafficking of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and using a location for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
Jail records show that both suspects are under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold, which could lead to deportation proceedings following the conclusion of their criminal case.
The amount of cocaine seized surpasses the 28-gram threshold that, under Florida law, triggers mandatory minimum sentences without exceptions for age. For quantities between 28 and 200 grams, the state statute mandates a minimum of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
Allapattah, where the arrest took place, is a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood with a significant Cuban presence since 1959. It also hosts a large community of Dominican, Nicaraguan, Honduran, and Haitian origin.
In December 2023, another Cuban was arrested in Allapattah for cocaine trafficking and money laundering after drugs, weapons, and illicit money were found in his home.
Late last year, Miami police and the FBI dismantled a drug trafficking network in Operation "El Primo," resulting in at least 20 arrests and the seizure of over 22 kilograms of cocaine. Several of those detained were of Cuban descent.
Key Questions on Recent Drug Arrests in Miami
What were the charges against the elderly Cuban men arrested in Miami?
The charges include armed trafficking of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and using a location for the purpose of trafficking cocaine.
How did the undercover operation in Allapattah begin?
The investigation started in August when detectives conducted a direct purchase of cocaine from the residence involved in the case.
What legal consequences do the suspects face under Florida law?
Under Florida law, possessing over 28 grams of cocaine mandates a minimum sentence of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine, with no exceptions for age.