Fernando Pineda-Jimenez, Cocaine Trafficking, Florida 2015

Colombian Nationals Plead Guilty to Cocaine Trafficking Charges in Florida

Tampa, FL – Six Colombian nationals have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine using vessels subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, announced Acting United States Attorney Karin Hoppmann.

The defendants, identified as Fernando Pineda-Jimenez, Luis Ernesto Perez-Quevedo, Adrian Luna-Munoz, Yesid Eduardo Torres-Solis, Hector Ruiz-Angulo, and Rodrigo Pineda-Torres, were part of a transnational criminal organization that dispatched self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessels, also known as narco-submarines, from Colombia into the Pacific Ocean, destined for Sinaloa Cartel members in Oaxaca, Mexico.

In July and August 2015, and March 2016, in international waters, the United States interdicted three SPSS vessels that had departed from Colombia and were en route to Mexico. The first SPSS carried approximately 6,900 kilograms of cocaine, the August 2015 SPSS carried approximately 6,845 kilograms of cocaine, and the March 2016 SPSS contained approximately 5,824 kilograms of cocaine. In total, the SPSS vessels carried over 19,000 kilograms (or nearly 42,000 pounds) of cocaine.

Fernando Pineda-Jimenez, a/k/a ‘Padrino,’ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Luis Ernesto Perez-Quevedo, a/k/a ‘Acuerpado,’ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and one count of conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Adrian Luna-Munoz, a/k/a ‘Vaca,’ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Yesid Eduardo Torres-Solis, a/k/a ‘Perro,’ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Hector Ruiz-Angulo, a/k/a ‘Maestro,’ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. He faces a minimum mandatory of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

Rodrigo Pineda-Torres, a/k/a ‘Gordo,’ pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import five kilograms or more of cocaine into the United States. He was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, a standing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Strike Force comprised of the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Panamanian National Border Service.

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