Viagra and Cialis confiscated by Sheriff's deputies

Two men are under arrest today after their plan to send Viagra to Cuba was thwarted in Lee County.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said that on May at approximately 10 a.m. members of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Highway Interdiction Unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle travelling on Interstate 75 near Mile Marker 131. A check of the vehicle’s two occupants revealed both had extensive criminal histories with prior sales of narcotics.

The passenger was currently on Federal probation for a cocaine trafficking case. The detective utilized his K9 partner to conduct a free air sniff and a positive alert was received. During this time the driver repeatedly asked the detective to search the vehicle claiming there were no drugs inside.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a brown cardboard box concealed in the spare tire compartment area. Inside the box the detective found approximately 30 boxes of Viagra and Cialis with a street value of $5,000. Both of these drugs require a valid prescription to possess.

An investigation into the circumstances revealed that the drugs were destined to be mailed and distributed to a location in Cuba. Neither suspect possessed a valid prescription for the drugs, detectives said.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit and members of Echo District also assisted during the investigation. The investigation resulted in the arrest of the following:

Jose V. Martinez, 39, of Miami and Alberto E. Perez, 58, of Tampa. Both are charged with possession of new legend drugs with intent to sell.