ST. THOMAS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE 87 KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE

ST. THOMAS, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced that Yefri Martinez Herrera, 30, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Ruth Miller to conspiracy to possess cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

According to court documents, in January 2022, Martinez Herrera brokered 200-kilogram cocaine deal with individuals later revealed to be a confidential source and an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent. On February 2, 2022, Martinez Herrera agreed to sell the undercover agent 86 kilograms of cocaine, as part of that 200-kilogram deal. Federal agents later executed a search warrant on Martinez Herrera’s home in Frenchtown where 87 kilograms of cocaine and a Glock pistol were seized. Martinez Herrera was taken into custody after agent found him hiding inside a bedroom closet.

This case is being investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Puerto Rico Police Department and Virgin Islands Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Edwards.