Cuban Immigrants Arrested for Drug and Firearm Offenses

Authorities have detained two Cuban immigrants with criminal records in the U.S. on charges of drug dealing and possessing stolen firearms. These individuals have lived illegally in the U.S. for over 45 years, according to law enforcement sources.

Details of the Arrest

The Miami Police Department initiated the arrests following an undercover operation. On August 19, an officer bought $60 worth of cocaine from 73-year-old Magdaleno Medina. Later, police conducted a search on September 9 at the location, where they found Cesar Valdes, 89, and seized several clear bags containing cocaine and marijuana, as well as ammunition, stolen guns, and over $4,800 in cash.

Immigration Status and History

Valdes and Medina, according to an ICE spokesman, entered the U.S. without inspection near Key West, Florida, in May 1980. Medina has four prior felony convictions for cocaine smuggling, drug possession, and trafficking. An immigration judge issued a final order of exclusion against him on July 24, 1996. Such orders were the judge’s decisions before April 1997 when current deportation processes were introduced.

Valdes has previous charges in Miami-Dade County, including cocaine possession and probation violations in the 1980s and 1990s. He also received a final order of exclusion on March 10, 1993.

Current Legal Proceedings

Medina now faces eight felony charges, including cocaine trafficking and illegal firearm possession as a felon. Valdes faces five similar charges. Both defendants are held in a Miami jail with ICE detainers. They have pleaded not guilty. Their attorney has chosen not to comment on the cases.

An ICE spokesman emphasized that “criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.” and asserted the agency’s commitment to enforcing the law.