Local Jeweler Arrested for Trafficking in Cocaine

On November 22, 2024, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Vice and Narcotics Unit carried out a search warrant at the Spring Hill-based Three J Jewelers on Deltona Boulevard. This was a result of alleged cocaine sales by business owner Pedro Martinez, age 54.

According to a press release from the HCSO the following Tuesday, the narcotics unit “has been conducting an investigation into this business for the past several months as the owner of the business and the suspect, [Martinez], has been selling, trafficking amounts of cocaine.”

Once detectives arrived at the local jewelry store on Friday, the authorities found cocaine and crack cocaine on the premises. Martinez was quickly placed into custody and taken to the Hernando County Detention Center shortly thereafter. The jeweler faces a laundry list of charges as a result of this investigation:
Trafficking in Cocaine (1 count)
Sale of Cocaine (4 counts)
Possession of a Structure with the Intent to Sell a Controlled Substance (4 counts)
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell (4 counts)
Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (4 counts)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (4 counts)

Martinez is currently being held on a $275,000 bond for all charges related to the alleged drug bust. The first offense in trafficking cocaine between 500 and 4999 grams holds a penalty of no less than 5 years and as many as 40 with a minimum fine of $5 million for an individual, noted the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) website.

These amounts can compound if there is more than one person involved or if death or serious injury occurs (minimum of 20 years). If the mixture is more than five kilograms, the penalty can range from 10 years to a life sentence, and it includes a fine of no less than $10 million.

Considering the variety of charges levied on Mr. Martinez, he may be looking at a protracted sentence if convicted and once the punishment is ultimately handed down.
The HCSO urges the public to reach out via Hernando County Crime Stoppers/Anonymous Tips if they have additional information about this case. This allows citizens to remain

anonymous while providing helpful information to the sheriff’s office.
They can be contacted by phone at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or **TIPS over cell phone. Another option is online at http://www.hernandocountycrimestoppers.com. In addition to remaining anonymous, you may also be eligible for up to a $5,000 cash reward.

Concerned citizens can also visit the sheriff’s office website or follow their page on Facebook to stay up to date with developments across Hernando. The Sun will continue to monitor this and other such cases around the count moving forward.