Pedro Guerrero Arrested

Pedro Guerrero, who had three 30-homer seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1980s, has been arrested for trying to buy cocaine from undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agents.

Guerrero, one of three co-MVPs of the 1981 World Series, was arrested at his Miami home Thursday night, DEA officials said.

"Two of our undercover guys had their trading cards autographed by him," DEA spokesman Brent Eaton said Friday. "He was telling us that he was playing golf with O.J. (Simpson) recently."

According to an affidavit filed by DEA agent Robert Tilley, the 44-year-old Guerrero's arrest came after a two-month investigation focused on his nephew, Adan "Tony" Cruz.

Cruz and Guerrero met with DEA informants and undercover agents Wednesday at a Miami restaurant, according to the affidavit. During the tape-recorded meeting, Cruz said he wanted to purchase an unspecified quantity of cocaine. Guerrero said he would be "responsible" for 15 kilograms, or 33 pounds, of the purchase.

Guerrero indicated the transaction should take place at his home, in an upscale golf neighborhood just west of Miami, Eaton said.

DEA agents received $70,000 as a down payment, and Guerrero assured them by phone that he was good for the balance, Eaton said. The going price for a kilogram of cocaine in Miami is about $16,000, he said.

Cruz was arrested Thursday around 8:15 p.m. when undercover agents delivered the sham cocaine to him at a supermarket near Guerrero's house. Guerrero and an associate of Cruz's, Lary Mercedes, were then arrested at the former ballplayer's home.

"This is not that big a case," Eaton said, noting that DEA agents had seized nearly 700 kilograms of cocaine in an unrelated bust on Friday. A father and son were arrested in that unrelated case in neighboring Broward County.

Eaton said Guerrero's bond was set at $100,000. As agents left him Friday afternoon, he was making arrangements to put his house up as equity so he could be released on bond, Eaton said.

There was no immediate comment from Guerrero, whose phone was busy Friday evening during repeated attempts to reach him.

Guerrero, a native of the Dominican Republic who played the outfield, first base and third base, hit 215 home runs in his 15-year career. He also played for St. Louis, retiring from the Cardinals after the 1992 season.

©1999 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed