Two Cuban nationals, Cesar Valdes, 89, and Magdaleno Medina, 73, were arrested in Miami for selling drugs and possessing stolen guns. Both have been in the United States illegally for over 45 years.
Recent developments began when Miami Police deployed an undercover officer to buy $60 worth of cocaine from Medina on August 19. Court records indicate this led to further police action.
On September 9, officers conducted a narcotics search in a trailer linked to Medina. They found Valdes and recovered clear bags containing cocaine and marijuana, stolen firearms, ammunition, and more than $4,800 in cash.
A spokesperson for ICE revealed that both men entered the U.S. near Key West, Florida, in May 1980 without inspection. Medina holds four previous felony convictions for offenses including cocaine smuggling and trafficking.
An immigration judge issued Medina a final order of exclusion on July 24, 1996, under the system preceding the removal proceedings established by the Department of Justice in April 1997. Details of the time spent in jail for earlier convictions were unavailable.
Cesar Valdes, implicated in similar activities, was issued a final order of exclusion on March 10, 1993. Valdes’ past charges include drug possession in the 1980s and 1990s, but records do not clarify jail time.
Currently, Medina faces eight felony charges for activities like cocaine trafficking and illegal firearm possession. Valdes confronts five similar charges. Both men are being detained in Miami with ICE detainers in place.
An ICE spokesperson stated, “Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
Medina and Valdes have entered not guilty pleas. Their attorney declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings.
Leave a Reply