DOMINCAN REPLUBLIC MAN SENTENCED TO 168 MONTHS ON COCAINE CONSPIRACY CONVICTION

St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Yefri Martinez-Herrera, 31, of the Dominican Republic, was sentenced to 168 months imprisonment by Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy after pleading guilty on March 6, 2023, to conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents, Martinez-Herrera and co-defendant Kelly Bruney, agreed to sell 200 kilograms of cocaine to an undercover agent at a cost of $11,500.00 per kilogram. The investigation concluded on February 3, 2022, when federal agents executed a search warrant at Martinez-Herrera’s home in French Town. From the search, agents recovered 87 kilograms of cocaine and a firearm in Martinez-Herrera’s bedroom. Agents also discovered Martinez-Herrera hiding in a closet.

This case was investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyle Payne.