Mica for cartelinsider.com
Five individuals have been sentenced to eight years and almost eleven months in prison for transporting over three tons of cocaine on the coast of Baja California Sur.
The arrest and the guilty sentence were a result of collaboration between the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) and the Mexican Navy (SEMAR), who intercepted the boat loaded with drugs in June 2023.
The operation carried out by the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) culminated in the capture of Franklin David Delgado Araujo, from Colombia; Gonzalo Israel Zambrano Solorzano, Henry Leonardo Moreno Delgado, and Fabricio Eliecer Moreno Vera, from Ecuador; as well as Arnoldo Quiñonez Zavala, a Mexican national.
These individuals were sailing with 187 bags of cocaine hydrochloride, which totaled a grand quantity of three tons 216 kilograms 286 grams of the narcotic.
Later, the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Baja California Sur presented the necessary evidence before a Specialized Federal Judge in the Accusatory Criminal Justice System, who determined the guilt of those involved in the crime against health, as provided and punished by the Federal Penal Code.
In addition to imprisonment, the judge imposed a fine on the convicted and ordered the confiscation of the seized drugs, in an attempt to combat drug trafficking and its consequences in the country.
The operation emphasizes the commitment of Mexican authorities to the fight against illegal distribution and sale of controlled substances, as well as highlighting interagency cooperation to ensure security and compliance with the law in Mexico.
These actions continue to be a priority for Mexico, in a context where drug trafficking represents a significant challenge that involves international cooperation and comprehensive strategies for its eradication.
The guilty sentence handed down to these individuals marks another step in the ongoing effort to dismantle networks that promote this wrongdoing, thus sending a clear message of zero tolerance towards criminal activities that affect the health and safety of the population.
According to the national maritime authority, the seizure occurred on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023 where aircrafts from the Mexican Navy followed the submersible occupied by drug traffickers.
Oceanic vessels of the Navy equipped with helicopters and interceptor patrols were positioned for the interdiction of the illicit vessel, which was carried out with the support of the embarked helicopter and interceptor patrol. A cargo of approximately 186 packages of alleged cocaine was found,” detailed the Secretariat of the Navy in a statement.
The Marina stated that it is a 26-meter long vessel, with two internal engines, an average speed of eight knots, and a range of 20 days.
Although the Navy did not specify the exact location of the seizure of this submerged vessel, they did state that the boat, drugs, and detained individuals were all taken to La Paz, Baja California Sur, to be placed at the disposal of the competent authorities and for the corresponding investigation to be carried out.
With this significant blow to drug trafficking, a total of 21,295 kilograms of cocaine have been seized at sea in the current year and 121 people have been arrested at sea while engaging in illicit activities.
In the video shared by the Mexican Navy, it can be seen that members of the Marine were able to make this capture while the ship was in motion, under strong wind and rough sea conditions in open water.
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Mica
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