Members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Vice Intelligence/Narcotics Unit say they have concluded a two-month long investigation targeting cocaine trafficking in Fort Myers.

They reported that on Wednesday, January 27, the operation culminated when investigators working the case arranged to purchase 10 ounces of powder cocaine from the suspect, identified as William Luciano, for $7,500, investigators said.

Detectives agreed to meet Luciano at the Best Western Hotel, located at 4400 Ford Street, Fort Myers. When Luciano arrived on scene, he first confirmed that the operatives had the appropriate amount of money, investigators said. Once he received confirmation, he contacted an associate to deliver the cocaine to him. The associate arrived in a dark green Lexus and dropped off the cocaine, which Luciano then provided to operatives to complete the transaction, investigators said. Detectives and members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Highway/Parcel Interdiction Unit then took Luciano into custody.

Minutes later, investigators conducted a traffic stop on the green Lexus in the area of Plaza Drive and Cortina Drive, Fort Myers. A search of the vehicle revealed $9,000. Four individuals, identified as Jesus Ramirez, Antonio Saldana, Alexander Saldanda and Alexander’s two-year old son, were in the car. The adults were taken into custody while the child was handed over to family members. Investigators have notified the Department of Children and Families regarding the child.

Investigators then executed a search warrant at Luciano’s apartment, located at 4411 Cortina Circle, Fort Myers. Inside the home they located more cocaine, bringing the overall total seized during the investigation to more than 700 grams (3/4 of a Kilo), 44 Roxicodone tablets, two Xanax tablets, two pounds of marijuana, cocaine cutting agents, a Kilo press, a military issue bullet proof vest, and a Tech-9 Assault Rifle, investigators said.

The following individuals were arrested and charged:

William Luciano, 24, of 308 Homer Avenue S, Lehigh Acres, charged with three counts of trafficking cocaine, one count of possession of marijuana, one count of possession of Xanax and one count of possession of cocaine

Alexander Saldona, 24, of 5425 5th Avenue, Fort Myers, charged withy conspiracy to traffic cocaine, one count of child endangerment.

Antonio Saldona, 27, of 5533 3rd Street, Fort Myers, charged with conspiracy to trafficcocaine, one count of child endangerment

Jesus Ramirez, 28, of 5423 Hightower Street, Lehigh Acres, charged with conspiracy to traffic cocaine, one count of child endangerment.

The suspects were transported to the Lee County Jail.