Seven Individuals Indicted for Transnational Drug Trafficking

BEAUMONT, Texas – A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas has returned an indictment charging seven individuals with various federal violations related to a complex international drug trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney, Brit Featherston today.

Alberto Garcia Bonilla, 52, Yimminson Caicedo Diaz, 27, Edwin Jose Pereira Arroyo, 26, Jaime Vivanco Cuellar, 39, Carlos Vicente Guagua Vasquez, 20, John Jairo Morales Parraga, 23, and Jonny Javier Cuero Sinisterra, 43, of Colombia & Ecuador; were named in an indictment charging them with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine while on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The indictment details approximately $60 million in alleged criminal activity since 2021. The one-count indictment was returned by a federal grand jury earlier this week.

According to the indictment and other court documents, on December 26, 2021, two vessels containing cocaine were reported by the Colombian National Police as having departed Tumaco, Colombia. On December 27, 2021, the El Salvadoran Navy interdicted both vessels and seized a combined 4,186 kilograms of cocaine.

If convicted, the defendants face a minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and forfeiture of $60,152,300.00 in U.S. currency.

This case is being investigated by the Galveston Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Rapp.

An indictment is not evidence of guilt.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.