6 Tons Recovered from Narco Sub in Columbia
Columbian authorities announced that they had successfully recovered over 3,000 kilograms of cocaine that was being smuggled via a “narco sub” off the Pacific coast, with an additional 270 kilograms recovered via drug sniffing dogs on a nearby beach, with an estimated total street value of the drugs at approximately $300 million. “Narco subs” as they are commonly called, are clandestine vessels that are popular with drug smuggling operations because they are difficult to track by authorities, although contrary to their name often do not actually submerge fully into the water, instead often sitting very low on the water’s surface. Although they have long been popular among South and Central American and Mexican drug cartels and smugglers, in recent years there have been several instances of authorities spotting them in Europe and other areas of the world smuggling drugs. “The national navy reaffirms its commitment in the fight against drug trafficking and will continue to develop massive operations against organized armed groups,” a Columbian Navy spokesperson said in announcing the seizure and arrest of an unknown number of individuals.
US Federal Authorities Seek Extradition of Narco Sub Smugglers
Recently, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York unsealed an indictment against 6 individuals charging them with conspiring to violate and violating the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act in an international cocaine distribution conspiracy and announced their plans to seek their extradition to the United States after they were arrested in Columbia. “As alleged, the defendants are members of a Colombian transnational maritime drug trafficking organization that specializes in building semi-submersible vessels and using the vessels to transport multi-ton quantities of cocaine to Mexico and Central America, for ultimate distribution in the United States,” stated United States Attorney Durham in announcing their arrests and charges. Prosecutors allege that over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine were recovered in just two busts aboard narco subs as a result of their international investigation. “The removal of over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine from international waters, destined for the United States, illustrates the DEA’s global pursuit to identify and target those international drug traffickers and Transnational Criminal Organizations that are using semi-submersible fleets to poison our city streets,” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Tarentino. “Today’s indictment against these six individuals is a reminder of the reach and unity of effort the DEA and our law enforcement partners demonstrate when pursuing those criminals looking to profit from the illicit drug trade.” The individuals face significant criminal sentences if convicted, with drug conspiracy’s of this alleged quantity carrying a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence and even the possibility of life in prison. However, given that the individuals actions took place entirely outside the United States, there have been instances in the past where defendants have challenged the reach of United States authority to prosecute these crimes under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act as overbroad and challenge whether or not the United States has jurisdiction or authority under the statute to prosecute the individual on the vessels at issue, particularly when they are in international waters. Anyone charged with a crime on the high seas or under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who has challenged the jurisdiction of the United States Courts.
