A suspected drug trafficker was apprehended off California’s coast this week after federal agents uncovered $6.4 million worth of cocaine on an oil tanker allegedly linked to a Mexican drug cartel.
Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., a 43-year-old from the Philippines, faces charges of importing a controlled substance, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Authorities revealed that Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Coast Guard executed a joint operation on Thursday aboard the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia, a crude oil vessel docked at the Port of Los Angeles.
During the operation, a narcotics detection dog from the Coast Guard signaled the presence of contraband. Subsequent investigations confirmed the discovery of 500 pounds of cocaine, valued at approximately $6.4 million, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
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The Department of Homeland Security stated that federal agents seized nearly 500 pounds of cocaine from an oil tanker off the California coast.
“This operation highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to combating transnational crime and safeguarding the United States from illicit narcotics,” HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said in a statement.
“HSI’s swift response and investigative expertise were instrumental in identifying and seizing over 226 kilograms of cocaine destined for our communities,” Wang continued. “We remain dedicated to pursuing those who attempt to exploit our ports and transportation systems, and to working with our partners to disrupt criminal organizations that threaten public safety.”
Capt. Stacey Crecy, sector commander for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, called the seizure a “testament to the coordinated efforts” of DHS agencies working to dismantle drug-smuggling operations.
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Authorities said the cocaine discovered aboard the oil tanker had an estimated street value of $6.4 million. (Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California)
“Through stellar coordination, we effectively detained the suspect and removed the contraband from the vessel to protect the maritime transportation system and facilitate commerce as quickly as possible,” Crecy said.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, authorities received information that the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Aquatravesia, which last departed from Ecuador, was traveling to the United States carrying a large shipment of drugs intended for a Mexican cartel.
Crew members allegedly discovered numerous packages hidden inside the ship’s garbage room that were believed to contain narcotics, according to the affidavit.
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The U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a joint boarding operation aboard the tanker in the Port of Los Angeles. (Department of Homeland Security)
Prosecutors said the ship’s captain interviewed crew members and learned the drugs allegedly belonged to Gelacio. The captain then moved the narcotics to another part of the vessel.
While the Aquatravesia was still in Mexican waters, the captain was allegedly told cartel members would be waiting roughly 80 nautical miles offshore on the evening of May 14 and the early morning of May 15 to retrieve the drugs, according to the complaint.
If the narcotics were not delivered, additional boats would allegedly intercept the vessel in Mexican waters and recover the contraband.
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Packages of suspected cocaine were recovered from aboard an oil tanker during a joint federal drug-smuggling investigation off the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)
Prosecutors also said the captain received radio calls from cartel members attempting to communicate with the Aquatravesia before boarding or seizing the vessel.
U.S. authorities directed the tanker to continue to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where law enforcement boarded the vessel Thursday.
Authorities allege Gelacio received the narcotics in Ecuador and intended to distribute them to another party while the ship traveled near Mexico.
If convicted, Gelacio faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
DHS said two additional individuals were also taken into custody in connection with the operation.
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