Colombian boat captain sentenced to more than 18 years in prison
TAMPA, Fla. — A Colombian man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years and nine months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms of cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) as part of the Panama Express Strike Force (PANEX) South.
“The professional work of the special agents assigned to the Panama Express South Strike Force, in conjunction with our international law enforcement partners, have disrupted a highly sophisticated and well-financed criminal organization," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa. "HSI will continue to diligently track down criminals in order to stem the flow of drugs coming into the country and continue fostering the international relationships that ensure our continued success."
Juan Yover Estrada-Mancilla, 35, of Colombia, South America, is the last of three defendants to be sentenced in this case. On Oct. 22, Jorge Mario Cuero-Delgado, 47, of Colombia, was sentenced to serve 10 years and one month in federal prison, and Franklin Albeiro Angulo-Montano, 39, of Colombia, was sentenced to serve 11 years and three months in federal prison.
All three Colombian nationals were arrested May 18, when the self-propelled, semi-submersible vessel in which they were traveling was interdicted and searched by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). During the search of the vessel, members of the USCG team found and seized 2,838 kilograms of cocaine.
Estrada-Mancilla, the captain of the vessel, and the two crewmembers all previously pleaded guilty to the offense.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s PANEX South is comprised of agents and analysts from ICE HIS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, , the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, and the Joint Interagency Task Force South. The principal mission of the OCDETF Program is to identify, disrupt, and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation's drug supply.
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