Tampa Area Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Cocaine Smuggling Attempt
U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew handed down the sentence to Santiago Silva-Ortiz (28, Colombia) for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine on a vessel subject to the United States jurisdiction.
Silva-Ortiz was arrested after the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a go-fast vessel he was on, which was carrying more than 1,190 kilograms of cocaine, south of the Dominican Republic on October 10, 2018.
As a former member of the Colombian National Police for two years, Silva-Ortiz became involved with narco-traffickers and served as the load guard on the vessel.
He pleaded guilty to the charges on January 14, 2019. The captain of the vessel, Eulices De Jesus Barliza-Lopez, was previously sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in federal prison for his role in the offense.
The case was investigated by the Panama Express Strike Force, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force consisting of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Coast Guard, Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Silva-Ortiz will serve 12 years and 7 months in federal prison for his role in the cocaine smuggling attempt. This case is part of Operation Panama Express, which targets South American-based drug trafficking organizations responsible for smuggling drugs to the United States and elsewhere for distribution.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking