Feds seize $6.4M worth of cocaine aboard oil tanker at Port of Los Angeles, arrest suspected cartel smuggler

A suspected cause smuggler was arrested disconnected the seashore of California this week aft national agents discovered $6.4 cardinal worthy of cocaine aboard an lipid tanker destined for a Mexican cause cartel.

Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., 43, of the Philippines, was charged with importation of a controlled substance, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced.

Officials said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a associated cognition Thursday aboard the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia, a crude lipid tanker docked astatine the Port of Los Angeles.

A Coast Guard narcotics detection canine alerted authorities to suspected contraband, and investigators aboriginal confirmed the cargo contained 500 pounds of cocaine worthy astir $6.4 million, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

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Federal agents seized astir 500 pounds of cocaine aboard an lipid tanker disconnected the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)

"This cognition highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering committedness to combating transnational transgression and safeguarding the United States from illicit narcotics," HSI Los Angeles Special Agent successful Charge Eddy Wang said successful a statement.

"HSI’s swift effect and investigative expertise were instrumental in identifying and seizing implicit 226 kilograms of cocaine destined for our communities," Wang continued. "We remain dedicated to pursuing those who attempt to exploit our ports and proscription systems, and to moving with our partners to disrupt transgression organizations that endanger nationalist safety."

Capt. Stacey Crecy, assemblage commandant for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, called the seizure a "testament to the coordinated efforts" of DHS agencies moving to dismantle drug-smuggling operations.

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Authorities said the cocaine discovered aboard the lipid tanker had an estimated thoroughfare worth of $6.4 million. (Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California)

"Through stellar coordination, we efficaciously detained the fishy and removed the contraband from the vas to support the maritime proscription strategy and facilitate commerce arsenic rapidly arsenic possible," Crecy said.

According to an affidavit filed successful the case, authorities received accusation that the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged Aquatravesia, which past departed from Ecuador, was traveling to the United States carrying a ample shipment of drugs intended for a Mexican cartel.

Crew members allegedly discovered galore packages hidden wrong the ship’s garbage country that were believed to incorporate narcotics, according to the affidavit.

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The U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a associated boarding cognition aboard the tanker successful the Port of Los Angeles. (Department of Homeland Security)

Prosecutors said the ship’s skipper interviewed unit members and learned the drugs allegedly belonged to Gelacio. The skipper past moved the narcotics to different portion of the vessel.

While the Aquatravesia was inactive successful Mexican waters, the skipper was allegedly told cartel members would beryllium waiting astir 80 nautical miles offshore connected the evening of May 14 and the aboriginal greeting of May 15 to retrieve the drugs, according to the complaint.

If the narcotics were not delivered, further boats would allegedly intercept the vas successful Mexican waters and retrieve the contraband.

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Packages of suspected cocaine were recovered from aboard an lipid tanker during a associated national drug-smuggling probe disconnected the California coast, authorities said. (Department of Homeland Security)

Prosecutors besides said the skipper received vigor calls from cartel members attempting to pass with the Aquatravesia earlier boarding oregon seizing the vessel.

U.S. authorities directed the tanker to proceed to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, wherever instrumentality enforcement boarded the vas Thursday.

Authorities allege Gelacio received the narcotics successful Ecuador and intended to administer them to different enactment portion the vessel traveled adjacent Mexico.

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If convicted, Gelacio faces a maximum condemnation of beingness successful prison.

DHS said 2 further individuals were besides taken into custody successful transportation with the operation.