SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Domingo Acosta is headed to federal prison for over 18 years after pleading guilty to orchestrating a massive cocaine smuggling operation. Senior United States District Court Judge Francisco A. Besosa handed down a 222-month and 14-day sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, on July 15, 2025. Acosta’s network flooded the streets with over 850 kilograms of cocaine sourced from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and other locations.
The bust, which originated from an investigation launched in April 2022, revealed a sophisticated conspiracy to import the illicit drug into the United States. Court documents detail how Acosta wasn’t just moving weight; he was arming himself for the job. The sentence accounts for both conspiracy to import cocaine and the possession of firearms used to facilitate the drug trafficking operation – a clear signal that the feds are cracking down on armed smugglers.
On October 7, 2022, federal agents raided a property linked to Acosta, uncovering a cache of weapons and equipment. The seizure included a Glock model G23, a Glock model 19, two .40 caliber Glock magazines, two 9mm Glock magazines, 38 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, 42 rounds of 9mm ammunition, two Garmin GPS units, and a handheld ICOM radio. These weren’t hunting tools; they were tools of a criminal enterprise designed to protect a multi-million dollar operation.
This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The DEA HIDTA Fajardo TFGII/Maritime Program spearheaded the investigation, bolstered by the Homeland Security Task Force Initiative, demonstrating a unified front against these threats. Acosta’s conviction is a small victory in what is becoming an increasingly desperate fight to reclaim American streets.
Adding another layer to Acosta’s criminal history is a prior felony conviction for immigration offenses. This repeat offender clearly demonstrated a disregard for the law, and the court’s sentence reflects that. Assistant United States Attorney Antonio J. López-Rivera, from the Asset Recovery, Money Laundering and Transnational Organized Crime Unit, successfully prosecuted the case, proving that federal resources are being deployed to target the financial underpinnings of these drug networks.
The 850+ kilogram cocaine seizure represents a significant blow to Acosta’s operation, but the fight is far from over. Operation Take Back America is a long-term commitment, and Grimy Times will continue to track the progress – and the failures – of this crucial initiative as it unfolds. Expect more indictments, more seizures, and more sentences as the DOJ attempts to choke off the flow of drugs and violence into our communities.
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Related Federal Cases
- Stoughton Drug Kingpin Gets Over 11 Years for Cocaine Smuggling and Relief Fraud · Massachusetts
- TSA Officer José Cruz-López Indicted in Cocaine Smuggling Ring · Puerto Rico
- Manchester Narc Boss Slammed with 70-Year Sentence for Cocaine Smuggling · Puerto Rico
- Luis Lopez Gets 15 Years for Cocaine, Fentanyl Empire · Massachusetts
- UPS Insider Sentenced in Cocaine Smuggling Ring · Massachusetts
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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