Owners of Tienda Mi Guatemex Supermarket arrested

The owners of the Ocoee supermarket, Tienda Mi Guatemex Supermarket, were arrested Tuesday, July 21, after a months-long investigation conducted by the Apopka Police Department obtained evidence of illegal medications being sold over the counter, and gambling machines. 

The supermarket located at 6 S. Bluford Avenue, Ocoee, was surveilled for months as part of a larger investigation into two other markets in Apopka, called Tienda Guatemala, that were anonymously reported for selling antibiotics without prescriptions. 

During the investigation, APD investigators found Bernave Lopez-Perez, Debora Lopez-Perez and Maria Lopez-Perez running an illegal gambling machine at all three locations, often collecting money from it. 

Investigators also found the family business to be selling prescription medications as if they were over-the-counter medications. Investigators also noted the medications to be labeled in Spanish, which is illegal. 

They now are facing racketeering, money laundering, scheme to defraud, conspiracy to sell and deliver controlled substances, the sale and distribution of controlled substances, and keeping or maintaining a place for controlled substances charges. 

Their bonds were set at $137,500.