Two Cuban-American brothers, Ronel Amores (49) and Julio Amores (56), were arrested in a high-impact police operation conducted in southwest Miami. The brothers face a range of serious charges, including drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession, and operating a chop shop that specialized in dismantling and distributing stolen vehicles.
The operation began when the Miami-Dade Police Department launched an investigation into a property located at 12995 SW 197th Avenue, after receiving reports of illegal drug activity. Undercover agents carried out several controlled purchases, confirming suspicions of criminal activity at the property.
With this evidence, authorities obtained a search warrant, which was executed on January 8th, 2025, resulting in the brothers’ arrest. The raid, led by tactical teams and specialized detectives, uncovered a vast criminal network that combined drug trafficking, the illegal possession of firearms, and the operation of a stolen vehicle dismantling business.
Drugs Seized:
247,661 grams of marijuana, spread across four trailers converted into greenhouses
1,855.1 grams of methamphetamine, stored in various locations
5.1 grams of fentanyl, a highly dangerous amount capable of causing thousands of overdoses
Smaller quantities of MDMA, cocaine, ecstasy, and GHB found in different rooms of the property.
Weapons and Ammunition Found:
Over 20 firearms, including high-caliber rifles and sawed-off shotguns
Silenced pistols, accompanied by a large quantity of ammunition and illegal accessories
In addition, the authorities discovered 28 vehicles on the property, seven of which had been reported stolen. Among them were a Ford F-350 and a Yale forklift, both with removed Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), confirming their role in the illegal vehicle dismantling operation.
Along with drugs, weapons, and stolen vehicles, over $7,000 in cash, counterfeit documents, and fraudulent identifications were also seized.
Ronel Amores, who has a criminal record, will face aggravated charges for possessing the large arsenal of firearms. Both brothers are in custody, and authorities have described the operation as a high-impact bust aimed at dismantling a major criminal operation.
