Authorities bust large cocaine operation to Lee County

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A large scale cocaine distribution ring stemming from Puerto Rico to Lee County was shut down by law enforcement.

Francisco Velez Melendez, 38, and Alfredo Perez, 38, are facing charges for trafficking cocaine.

A routine K9 sniff by interdiction dogs identified a shipment of drugs destined for Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres.

U.S. Postal Inspectors were able to secure search warrants for the parcels and a coordinated operation involving the U.S. Postal Service, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Department of Homeland Security led to the identification of a potential suspect.

Joint search warrants were served at a home on the 620 block of SW 23rd Terrace in Cape Coral and another house on the 2800 block of 20th Street SW in Lehigh Acres.

As a result of these search warrants, police say more than 11 pounds of powder cocaine was seized with a street value of $250,000.

A handgun was also recovered at the Cape Coral residence along with evidence of drug packaging, weighing and distribution. Nearly $14,500 in drug proceeds was also seized for forfeiture.

The investigation revealed that Melendez was importing the cocaine from Puerto Rico for distribution throughout Lee County.

Authorities say Perez was assisting Melendez in receiving cocaine from Puerto Rico at the Lehigh Acres address.

Melendez is also facing charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of drug paraphernalia.