In a significant operation on Tuesday, Miami Police, in collaboration with the FBI, launched a sweeping raid across multiple city neighborhoods, effectively dismantling a large-scale drug trafficking network and arresting at least 20 individuals, several of whom are of Cuban descent.
Early Tuesday morning, around 5 a.m., law enforcement apprehended approximately 20 suspects during the operation dubbed "Operation El Primo." This raid led to the seizure of more than 22 kilograms of cocaine, over $120,000 in cash, firearms, and ammunition in areas such as Flagami, Little Havana, and Coral Way, which were key operational zones for this "sophisticated" drug network, according to police reports.
The authorities described the operation as one of the most significant blows to drug trafficking in South Florida during 2025, a culmination of several months of investigation involving intelligence work, undercover surveillance, and financial analysis.
Those arrested have been labeled as "high-priority suspects" and were named in recent federal indictments, including individuals connected to a foiled murder-for-hire plot earlier this year that law enforcement thwarted before it could be carried out.
Strong Message Against Drug-Related Violence
Miami Police Chief Manuel Morales emphasized that "Operation El Primo" sends a "clear and unequivocal message" that "drug trafficking and its accompanying violence will not be tolerated" in the city.
Morales praised the relentless efforts and dedication of the detectives in his department and the collaboration with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, and State Attorney Katherine Fernández Rundle along with her team from the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
"Together, we will continue dismantling criminal organizations, removing dangerous criminals from our streets, and safeguarding the people of Miami," he asserted.
While the nationalities of those arrested were not disclosed, sources confirmed to CiberCuba that several are originally from Cuba.
Federal Charges and Legal Proceedings
On the same day, a federal grand jury in Miami issued a superseding indictment charging 24 individuals with conspiring to traffic substantial amounts of cocaine in Miami-Dade County and other parts of the Southern District of Florida.
The U.S. Attorney's Office statement indicates that the following individuals face eight counts of conspiracy to traffic drugs and related offenses:
Bienvenido Leo Rodríguez (73), Miami; Roberto Rodríguez (52), Miami; Alberto Leandro Curiel (72), Miami; Pedro González Álvarez (48), Miami; Claudio Alberto Barrios (55), Miami Beach; Raimundo Antonio Roca Naranjo (72), Miami Lakes; Roberto Jiménez (53), Miami; Luis Alejandro Salcedo Rey (54), Miami; Rolando Rodríguez Lugo (57), Miami; Diego Díaz de la Cruz (47), Miami; Lucía Cuadrado (65), Hialeah; Jorge Mahique Pareta (64), Hialeah; Miguel Márquez Romero (29), Naples; Heinrich Castillo Díaz (47), Miami; José Arnaldo Bermúdez, Jr. (42), Miami; Paulo Sabón Montero (54), Naples; Valerio Álvarez Abreu (73), Hialeah; Santos Saavedra (81), Miami; Eustaquio Luis Cardoso Véliz (63), Miami; Glenis Pérez Martínez (54), Miami; Yovanis Fernández (51), Hialeah; Manuel Nuez (55), Miami; Liván Padrón Duque (49), Miami; Jorge Falla (50), Miami.
Judicial records, including previously filed criminal complaints, document that the defendants conspired to distribute multikilogram quantities of cocaine throughout South Florida, according to official information.
During the investigation, approximately seven kilograms of cocaine were seized on April 1, and another 10 kilograms on May 27, along with significant proceeds and firearms.
At Bienvenido Rodríguez's residence, agents discovered $58,214 in cash and two firearms, while Roca Naranjo's home yielded $62,520 in cash, two firearms, and over 100 varied rounds of ammunition.
Roca Naranjo, a previously convicted felon, is also charged with the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, according to the document.
The superseding indictment includes a clause seeking the forfeiture of proceeds and property attributable to the offenses charged against the defendants.
If found guilty, Bienvenido Rodríguez, Roberto Rodríguez, Curiel, González Álvarez, Barrios, Jiménez, Márquez Romero, Castillo Díaz, Bermúdez, Jr., Cardoso Véliz, Pérez Martínez, and Fernández face life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Salcedo Rey, Rodríguez Lugo, Díaz De La Cruz, Cuadrado, Mahique Pareta, Álvarez Abreu, and Nuez could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted; and Roca Naranjo, Sabón Montero, Saavedra, Padrón Duque, and Falla could be sentenced to 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Miami Drug Trafficking Bust
What was seized during "Operation El Primo" in Miami?
The operation led to the seizure of over 22 kilograms of cocaine, more than $120,000 in cash, firearms, and ammunition.
Who were the primary collaborators in the Miami drug bust?
The Miami Police Department worked closely with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
What are the potential penalties for those involved in the Miami drug trafficking case?
Depending on their charges, suspects could face life imprisonment, up to 40 years, or up to 20 years in prison if convicted.