Mexican Smuggler Sentenced to Over 9 Years for High Seas Cocaine Haul

United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer delivered a severe blow to drug cartels on August 14, 2025, sentencing Adrian Palomeque Gordillo, a Mexican national, to 108 months’ imprisonment for his role in the smuggling of a massive 1,148 kilograms of cocaine.

The coast was Guarded at high alert when a USCG helicopter from the Cutter Munro spotted the drug-laden vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on September 24, 2024. After a failed attempt to halt the vessel with warning shots, the Coast Guard crew resorted to disabling its engines and intercepting packages of cocaine as it was tossed overboard.

USCG personnel boarded the disabled ship, recovering 24 bales from the water that contained the illicit drug. Gordillo and four other smugglers were apprehended and transported to the US for prosecution under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act.

The vessel, now a hazard to navigation due to its remote location and lack of tow points, was sunk after law enforcement operations concluded. The case was jointly investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant United States Attorney George F. May led the prosecution, representing the interests of the United States in this high-stakes operation. Gordillo’s sentence is part of Operation Take Back America, a Justice Department initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels, and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation coordinates efforts across multiple Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood initiatives.

This significant seizure underscores the relentless pursuit of justice against drug trafficking networks by federal agencies. As Operation Take Back America continues to gather momentum, it remains a testament to the Department of Justice’s unwavering commitment to protect American citizens from the scourge of illegal drugs and transnational organized crime.

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