Elderly Cuban Immigrants Arrested in Miami Drug and Gun Bust
Two individuals, who allegedly entered the U.S. illegally in 1980, face multiple charges including cocaine trafficking and possession of stolen firearms.
Miami police have arrested two Cuban-born immigrants, aged 89 and 73, on drug and weapons charges. Cesar Valdes, 89, and Magdaleno Medina, 73, are accused of engaging in drug trafficking and possessing stolen firearms. Both men have reportedly been residing in the United States illegally for over 46 years, having entered the country separately in 1980.
The recent investigation began on August 19 when an undercover officer purchased cocaine from Medina at their residence, according to reports. A subsequent search warrant executed on September 9 at the same location led to the arrest of Valdes. During the search, law enforcement discovered ammunition, stolen firearms, over $4,800 in cash, 141 grams of cocaine, and 1,278 grams of marijuana.
Valdes and Medina face multiple charges, including armed cocaine trafficking and grand theft of a firearm. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently being held in a Miami jail with ICE detainers placed on them. Their legal representatives have declined to comment.
According to U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, both individuals entered the country without inspection near Key West, Florida, in May 1980. Records indicate Medina has four prior felony convictions related to cocaine smuggling, drug possession, and drug trafficking. Valdes's prior charges in Miami-Dade County include cocaine possession and probation violations from the 1980s and 1990s.
An ICE spokesman stated that criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S. and that the agency will apprehend and deport those who break the law.