Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.9

                             SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

$2,500,000.00                                                   August 11, 2000
                                                                 Miami, Florida

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, UNITED PETROLEUM GROUP, INC., a Delaware
corporation ("Maker") promises to pay to the order of JOSE P. BARED,
individually, and INFINITY INVESTORS LIMITED, a Nevis, West Indies corporation
(collectively, "Holder") the principal sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($2,500,000.00), together with interest on the principal balance hereof
from time to time outstanding at the rate per annum equal to (i) the sum of
Prime Rate plus one percent (1.0%) or (ii) the sum of three and seven-eighths
percent (3.875%) plus LIBOR; the selection of the foregoing interest rates to be
at the option of Maker, provided, however, that so long as that certain
Revolving Promissory Note dated November 3, 1999 made by Maker in favor of
Hamilton Bank, N.A. (the "Hamilton Revolving Note") remains outstanding, the
rate of interest hereunder shall be the same as that selected by Maker under the
Hamilton Revolving Note.

         For purposes of this Note, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

         1)       "Prime Rate" shall mean the U.S. dollar prime commercial rate
                  as publicly announced from time to time by Citibank, N.A. as
                  its "prime rate".

         2)       "LIBOR" shall mean the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
                  necessary, to the nearest 1/16th of 1%) quoted on Reuters
                  International System's "LIBO" page at approximately 11:00 a.m.
                  London time on the day which is two (2) banking days before
                  the beginning of the LIBOR Interest Period for the offering by
                  leading banks in the London interbank market of U.S. dollar
                  deposits for the term of such LIBOR Interest Period and in
                  amounts comparable to the principal amount of this Note
                  scheduled to be outstanding for the LIBOR Interest Period.

         3)       "LIBOR Interest Period" shall mean each successive period of
                  one month used to determine the LIBOR rate of interest
                  applicable to the principal of the Note. The first LIBOR
                  Interest Period of the Note shall commence on the date
                  specified by Maker for the commencement of the LIBOR rate of
                  interest and end on the last banking day of such LIBOR
                  Interest Period (the "LIBOR Determination Date"), and each
                  subsequent LIBOR Interest Period shall commence on the LIBOR
                  Determination Date for the preceding LIBOR Interest Period and
                  end on the next succeeding LIBOR Determination Date. If any
                  LIBOR Determination Date falls on a day which is not a banking
                  day, it shall be adjusted and determined in accordance with
                  the practices of the offshore U.S. dollar interbank markets as
                  from time to time in effect, provided, however, that the last
                  LIBOR Interest Period shall end no later than the date
                  specified by Maker for conversion of the Note into an
                  obligation bearing interest at the Prime Rate or the date all
                  amounts outstanding hereunder become due and payable.
                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, so long as
                  the Hamilton Revolving Note remains outstanding, each LIBOR
                  Interest Period applicable to this Note shall coincide with
                  the LIBOR Interest Period applicable to the Hamilton Revolving
                  Note.

         The principal amount outstanding under this Note, together with all
accrued interest on the unpaid principal balance, shall be due and payable in
full on November 30, 2000 (the "Maturity Date"). Interest on this Note shall be
computed on the actual number of days elapsed over a 360 day year. Maker may
prepay this Note at any time or from time to time prior to maturity, either in
whole or in part, without premium or penalty of any kind. All partial
prepayments under this Note shall be applied first in payment of interest
accrued upon the principal balance hereof at the time outstanding, and then in
reduction of the principal balance hereof.

         This Note is secured by that certain Security Agreement of even date
herewith made by Maker in favor of Holder (the "Security Agreement"). Any
default by Maker hereunder shall constitute a default under the Security
Agreement, and shall entitle Holder to exercise all the rights and remedies
which may be stated in the Security Agreement (as well as those set forth in
this Note and available at law or in equity), including specifically, but
without

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limitation, the right to foreclose all property which is collateral for payment
of the obligations owed by Maker to Holder.

         Maker hereby waives presentment for payment, demand, notice of
dishonor, protest, extension of time without notice and/or any and all
requirements necessary to hold Maker liable as maker, and agrees that (i) any
collateral, lien, and or right of setoff securing any indebtedness evidenced by
this Note may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be exchanged or released,
and any person liable on or with respect to this Note may be released all
without notice to or further reservations of rights against Maker, and all
without in any way affecting or releasing the liability of Maker, any endorser,
surety or guarantor, and (ii) none of the terms or provisions hereof may be
waived, altered, modified or amended orally, by course of conduct, dealing or
performance, or otherwise, except as Holder may specifically agree in writing.

         Maker hereby agrees to pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses,
including attorneys' fees, incurred by Holder in connection with the collection
of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, any modification hereof, or in
enforcing or protecting any of the rights, powers, remedies and privileges of
Holder hereunder. As used in this Note, the term "attorneys' fees" shall include
those incurred at any time whether prior to the commencement of judicial
proceeding and/or thereafter at the trial and/or appellate proceedings and/or in
pre- and post judgment or insolvency, bankruptcy, administrative, regulatory or
investigative proceedings.

         All amounts payable hereunder shall be payable in lawful currency of
the United States of America to Holder in equal shares as follows: to Jose P.
Bared at 9025 Arvida Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33156, and to Infinity
Investors Limited at 1601 Elm Street, Suite 4000, Dallas, Texas 75201, or at
such other place designated by Holder in writing, in immediately available funds
without deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or
other charges levied or imposed on this Note. Maker shall pay all such taxes
(other than taxes on or measured by income of the holder hereof), duties, and
other charges in addition to the principal evidenced by this Note.

         The occurrence of any one of more of the following shall constitute a
default hereunder: (a) failure of Maker to pay to the Holder, when the same
shall become due (whether at scheduled maturity, upon acceleration or
otherwise), the indebtedness evidenced by this Note; or (b) failure of Maker to
timely pay or perform any other agreement of Maker under this Note; or (c) the
occurrence of any default under the Security Agreement. At any time after the
occurrence of a default hereunder, the indebtedness evidenced by this Note
shall, at the option of Holder, immediately become due and payable, and Holder
shall be entitled to exercise the other remedies set forth in this Note or as
provided by law.

         Any amount of principal evidenced by this Note which is not paid when
the same shall become due (whether at scheduled maturity, upon acceleration
after a default, or otherwise) shall bear interest from the date it was due
until paid in full at the rate of interest then in effect pursuant to the first
paragraph of this Note plus five percent (5%), or the maximum rate permitted by
applicable law, whichever is less. All such amounts shall be part of the
obligations secured by the Security Agreement.

         Holder does not intend to violate any applicable usury laws.
Accordingly, all agreements between Maker and Holder are expressly limited so
that in no contingency or event whatsoever, whether by reason of acceleration of
maturity of the unpaid principal balance hereof or otherwise, shall the amount
paid or agreed to be paid to Holder for the use, forbearance or detention of the
money to be advanced hereunder (including all interest on this Note, and the
aggregate of all other amounts taken, reserved or charged pursuant to this Note
which, under applicable laws, is or may be deemed to be interest) exceed the
maximum rate allowed by applicable law. If, from any circumstances whatsoever,
fulfillment of any obligation hereof at the time performance of such obligation
shall be due shall cause the effective rate of interest upon the sums evidenced
by this Note to exceed the maximum rate of interest allowed by applicable law,
then the obligation to be fulfilled shall be reduced automatically to the extent
necessary to prevent that effective rate of interest from exceeding the maximum
rate allowable under applicable law and to the extent that Holder shall receive
any sum which would constitute excessive interest, such sum shall be applied to
the reduction of the unpaid principal balance due hereunder and not to the
payment of interest or, if such excessive interest exceeds the unpaid balance of
principal, the excess shall be refunded to Maker.

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         Maker agrees that this Note shall be governed by and construed under
the laws of the State of Florida. If any provision of this Note shall be deemed
unenforceable under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective, but
only to the extent of such unenforceability, without invalidating the remainder
of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Note. Maker consents that
jurisdiction and venue of any dispute arising from this Note shall be in
Miami-Dade County, Florida and waives all objections thereto. The rights of the
Holder hereunder shall inure to the benefit of their respective heirs,
beneficiaries, successors and assigns.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Maker has executed and delivered this Note as of
the date first above written.

                                        UNITED PETROLEUM GROUP, INC.

                                        By: /s/ JOSE P.  BARED
                                            -----------------------------------
                                        Name:  Jose P. Bared
                                        Title: President

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.10

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

         UNITED PETROLEUM GROUP, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter
called "Debtor"), having an address at 5800 N.W. 74th Avenue, Miami, Florida
33166, for value received, hereby grants to JOSE P. BARED, individually, having
an address at 9025 Arvida Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33156, and INFINITY
INVESTORS LIMITED, a Nevis, West Indies corporation, having an address at 1601
Elm Street, Suite 4000, Dallas, Texas 75201 (hereinafter collectively called
"Secured Party"), a security interest in all of Debtor's personal property
described in Exhibit "A" attached hereto and made a part hereof, together with
any and all accessions attached to or used in connection therewith and any and
all replacements and proceeds thereof (all of which is hereafter called the
"Collateral"). This Security Agreement is given to secure all of the obligations
and liabilities of Debtor to Secured Party, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, now existing or hereafter arising, or now due or hereafter to become
due, including, without limitation, all indebtedness under that certain Secured
Promissory Note of even date herewith made by Debtor in favor of Secured Party
in the original principal amount of $2,500,000.00 (the "Note") (all of the
foregoing are collectively referred to herein as the "Obligations").

         Debtor hereby warrants and agrees with Secured Party that:

                  1. The Collateral is used primarily for business use.

                  2. Debtor will not remove the Collateral from the State of
Florida without the prior written consent of the Secured Party except for sales
of inventory in the normal and ordinary course of business.

                  3. Except for the security interest granted hereby and in
favor of Hamilton Bank, N.A. (the "Bank"), Debtor is the owner of the Collateral
free from any adverse lien, security interest, or encumbrance, and Debtor will
defend the Collateral against all claims and demands of all persons at any time
claiming the same or any interest therein.

                  4. The execution, delivery and performance of this agreement
(i) has been duly authorized by all necessary or appropriate corporate acts or
proceedings of Debtor; (ii) does not violate or conflict with any provision of
Debtor's Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws or standing resolutions; and
(iii) subject to receipt of the Bank's consent, does not violate or result in a
breach or default (with the giving of notice, the passage of time, or otherwise)
under any contract, understanding, judgment, order, writ, law or regulation that
is applicable to Debtor or its assets. This agreement is the valid, legal and
binding obligation and agreement of Debtor and is enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.

                  5. Except for the financing statement in favor of the Bank, no
financing statement covering any Collateral or any proceeds thereof is on file
in any public office; Debtor authorizes the Secured Party to file, in
jurisdictions where this authorization will be given effect, a financing
statement signed only by the Secured Party describing the Collateral in the same
manner as it is described herein; and from time to time, at the request of the
Secured Party, Debtor shall execute one or more financing statements and such
other documents (and pay the cost of filing or recording the same in all public
offices deemed necessary or desirable by the Secured Party) and do such other
things, all as the Secured Party may reasonably request to establish and
maintain a valid security interest in the Collateral to secure the payment of
the Obligations.

                  6. Debtor will not sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose
of any of the Collateral or any interest therein, except for inventory sold in
the normal and ordinary course of business, without the prior written consent of
the Secured Party.

                  7. Debtor will at all times keep the Collateral insured in
amounts not less than the full insurable value thereof, against loss, damage,
theft, and such other risks as the Secured Party may reasonably require, in such
companies and under such policies and in such form and for such periods as shall
be reasonably

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satisfactory to the Secured Party, and each such policy shall provide, by
endorsement, that loss thereunder and proceeds payable thereunder shall be
payable to the Secured Party as its interest may appear (and the Secured Party
shall apply any proceeds of such insurance which may be received by the Secured
Party toward payment of the Obligations, whether or not due, in such order of
application as Secured Party may determine) and each such policy shall provide
for 10 days' written minimum cancellation notice to the Secured Party; and a
copy of each such policy or a certificate thereof, if the Secured Party so
requests, shall be deposited with the Secured Party.

                  8. Debtor shall at all times keep the Collateral free from any
adverse lien, security interest or encumbrance, except for the security interest
granted hereby and in favor of the Bank, and in a good order and repair, and
will not waste or destroy the Collateral or any part thereof; and Debtor will
not use the Collateral in violation of any statute or ordinance; and the Secured
Party may examine and inspect the Collateral at any time, wherever located.

                  9. Debtor will pay promptly when due all taxes and assessments
upon the Collateral or for its use or operation or upon this agreement or upon
any note evidencing the Obligations, or any of them.

                  10. At its option, the Secured Party may, but shall not be
obligated to, discharge taxes, liens or security interests or other encumbrances
at any time levied or placed on the Collateral, may pay for insurance on the
Collateral and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Collateral.
Debtor agrees to reimburse the Secured Party on demand for any payment made, or
any expense incurred, by the Secured Party pursuant to the foregoing
authorization. Until default, Debtor may have possession of the Collateral and
use it in any lawful manner not inconsistent with this agreement and not
inconsistent with any policy of insurance thereon.

                  11. Debtor shall be in default under this agreement upon the
happening of any of the following events: (a) failure of or omission to pay when
due any indebtedness under the Note or under any other Obligation, or default in
the payment or performance of any obligation, covenant, agreement, or liability
contained or referred to herein, in the Note, or in any agreement evidencing,
relating to or securing any of the Obligations; (b) any warranty, representation
or statement made to the Secured Party by or on behalf of Debtor proves to have
been false in any material respect when made or furnished; (c) loss, theft,
substantial damage, destruction, sale, or encumbrance to or of any of the
Collateral, or the making of any levy, seizure or attachment on the Collateral;
(d) Debtor becomes insolvent or unable to pay debts as they mature or makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any proceeding is instituted by or
against Debtor alleging that Debtor is insolvent or unable to pay debts as they
mature; (e) appointment of a receiver for any of the Collateral or for any
property in which Debtor has an interest; (f) the occurrence of any default
under the Note; or (g) the occurrence of a default under loan documents made by
Debtor in favor of the Bank.

                  12. Upon the occurrence of any such default described above or
at any time thereafter, the Secured Party may, at its option, declare all
Obligations secured hereby, or any of them (notwithstanding any provisions
thereof) immediately due and payable without demand or notice of any kind and
the same thereupon shall immediately become and be due and payable without
notice or demand, and the Secured Party shall have and may exercise from time to
time any and all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform
Commercial Code and any and all rights and remedies available to it under any
other applicable law; and upon request or demand of the Secured Party, Debtor
shall, at its expense, assemble the Collateral and make it available to the
Secured Party at a convenient place acceptable to the Secured Party; and Debtor
shall promptly pay all costs of the Secured Party of collection of any and all
of the Obligations, and enforcement of rights hereunder, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and legal expenses and expenses of any repairs to any of the
Collateral and expenses of any repairs to any realty or other property to which
any of the Collateral may be affixed or be a part. Unless the Collateral is
perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily
sold on a

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recognized market, the Secured Party will give Debtor reasonable notice of the
time and place of any public sale thereof or of the time after which any private
sale or any other intended disposition of the Collateral is to be made. The
requirements of reasonable notice shall be met if such notice is mailed, postage
prepaid, to Debtor at the address of Debtor shown at the beginning of this
agreement or at any other address shown on the records of the Secured Party, at
least ten days before the time of the sale or disposition. Expenses of retaking,
holding, preparing for sale, selling, or the like, shall include the Secured
Party's reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses. The Secured Party shall
be entitled, at its option, to collect and receive all or any part of the
Collateral and Debtor hereby irrevocably appoints the Secured Party as its
attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution to do so, including for the
purpose of (i) signing and endorsing, in the name of Debtor, all checks, drafts
and other instruments in payment of accounts receivable, (ii) collecting,
enforcing and/or compromising, settling and adjusting accounts receivable and
taking other actions with respect thereto, as the Secured Party determines in
its sole discretion, and (iii) giving notices and receipts in Debtor's name and
performing such other acts in connection with any of the Collateral as the
Secured Party in its sole discretion may determine to be appropriate, all at the
cost of Debtor and without any liability whatsoever on the part of the Secured
Party. If Debtor shall receive payments, Debtor shall be deemed to have received
same in trust and as fiduciary for the Secured Party, and will forthwith, upon
receipt of all checks, drafts, cash and other remittances, deliver same to the
Secured Party in the form received, except for the endorsement of Debtor where
necessary to permit collection. Upon disposition of any Collateral after the
occurrence of any default hereunder, Debtor shall be and remain liable for any
deficiency, and the Secured Party shall account to Debtor for any surplus, but
the Secured Party shall have the right to apply all or any part of such surplus
(or to hold the same as a reserve against) all or any of the Obligations,
whether or not they, or any of them, be then due, and in such order of
application as the Secured Party may from time to time elect.

                  13. No waiver by the Secured Party of any default shall
operate as a waiver of any other default or of the same default on a future
occasion. No delay or omission on the part of the Secured Party in exercising
any right or remedy shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right or remedy. The provisions of this agreement are
cumulative and in addition to the rights and remedies the Secured Party may have
at law or in equity. All rights of the Secured Party hereunder shall inure to
the benefit of its heirs, beneficiaries, successors and assigns, and all
obligations of Debtor shall bind the successors and assigns of Debtor. Debtor
specifically waives and covenants not to assert any rights and claims to require
Secured Party to marshall any assets, liens, or parties liable in respect of the
Obligations, and agrees that the Secured Party may enforce rights and proceed
against any of the Collateral, and any of the other assets or liens, in any
order or sequence, all as the Secured Party may elect in its sole and absolute
discretion.

                  14. This agreement has been delivered in the State of Florida
and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of Florida. Wherever
possible, each provision of this agreement shall be interpreted in such manner
as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this
agreement.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Security Agreement has been executed and
delivered the 11th day of August, 2000.

                                       UNITED PETROLEUM GROUP, INC.

                                       By: /s/ JOSE P. BARED
                                           ----------------------------------
                                           Name:  Jose P. Bared
                                           Title: President

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                                   EXHIBIT "A"

All of the following property, whether presently existing or hereafter created
or acquired, wherever located, including substitutions, accessions, additions,
products, and replacements thereto or therein:

               1.   All inventory, whether raw materials, work in process, or
                    finished goods, including, without limitation, all
                    merchandise and other tangible personal property intended
                    for sale, rent or lease;

               2.   All insurance proceeds on any of the foregoing;

               3.   All products of any of the foregoing; and

               4.   All proceeds of any of the foregoing.

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