Florida Jeweler Accused of Selling Cocaine From Store

By Rob Bates | December 10, 2024

Pedro Martinez, owner of Three J Jewelers in Spring Hill, Fla., has been charged with 21 drug-related counts for allegedly selling cocaine out of his store.

According to a report on Fox 13 Tampa Bay, the Hernando County sheriff’s department said its undercover agents bought cocaine at Martinez’s store four times. The department then executed a search warrant and allegedly found both cocaine and crack at the business.

“It’s hard to judge how many people were coming in here legitimately to sell things like their gold jewelry and how many of them were doing it for drugs and associated with criminal activity,” Hernando County sheriff Al Nienhuis said on the news.

According to Fox 13 reporter Evan Axelbank, “Deputies say the jewelry part of the business is also under investigation because there are a number of regulations that must be followed when it comes to buying and selling secondhand gold.” The store was operating as usual following Martinez’s arrest, Axelbank said.

Martinez has been charged with one count of trafficking in cocaine and four counts each of sale of cocaine, possession of a structure with intent to sell a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Three J’s Facebook page says the business has “35+ years of experience.” No one from the store responded to JCK‘s request for comment.