Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Miami Herald - September 6, 2007
Erika Beras, eberas@MiamiHerald.com
The bus was stopped just after noon Wednesday at mile marker 82, on its way to Miami.
The brightly colored La Cubana shuttle bus carried a driver and 10 passengers, which the trooper did not believe was "cost-efficient."
The trooper noted the bus driver appeared nervous, and called for additional units.
When canine units arrived, they found suitcases in the luggage compartment stuffed with hundreds of bottles of 20 different prescription drugs for treating HIV/AIDS.
The drugs were valued at more than $1 million.
They also found $126,000 in cash, wrapped in bundles with rubber bands.
Two men were arrested when authorities found their baggage-claim numbers matched those of the drug-stuffed suitcases.
Oscar Omar Zabala of Miami and Juan Vasquez of New Jersey were taken to the Collier County jail. They face charges on 20 felony counts.
They told authorities they did not know each other. However, both were carrying the same type of drug.
They said they were planning to deliver the drugs to family and friends in "their country" who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS and don't have the money to buy the drugs.
"We've made large busts before," said FHP Trooper Lt. Doug Dodson, "But with oxycontin. Never anything like this. Some of those drugs, they would be $2,400 for a prescription."
Both men denied ownership of the cash.
The money was turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration.
La Cubana is a popular Miami-based bus service that provides daily service between New York and Miami. Both men had left from Elizabeth, N.J.
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