3 charged with cocaine trafficking face life sentences

[Bobcat]

BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com
Three Colombian men in a go-fast boat with 168 pounds of cocaine who failed in their attempt to outrun a Navy frigate in the Pacific Ocean in December could face federal prison in found guilty, according to court records.

Melki Obregon-Campaz, Nestor David Salas-Castro and Herminio Perlaza-Reina were taken into custody on Dec. 12 after an American aircraft spotted them in the boat about 62 miles from Panama.

All three were charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine. The maximum penalty for both is life imprisonment, according to their indictments. All three have subsequently pleaded not guilty. They remain jailed in the custody of U.S. Marshals.

The 453-foot Navy USS Gary was within 30 miles and approached the go-fast vessel. When it intercepted the boat, along with a helicopter, the men on board allegedly began throwing bales overboard, records state. The Navy marked the location of the bales using sonar buoys.

The boat also began making "various course and speed changes," which forced the helicopter to order them to heave to, but the boat continued make "stop and go" speed changes, records state. The Navy then began firing warning shots, but the boat continued.

It eventually stopped after "disabling fire" from the Navy. That usually means a boat's engines are shot up by sailors.

A Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team then boarded the boat and took the men into custody.

The Coast Guard contacted the Colombian government, but it could not identify the registry of the vessel.

The Gary crew then collected the bales in the water and retrieved about 76 kilograms, records state.

The drugs and three men were then transferred to the 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Legare based out of Portsmouth, Va.

The Legare then went to Key West where the drugs and men were detained by Homeland Security Investigation agents.

All three suspects will be prosecuted in Key West.

alinhardt@keysnews.com

[rschap1]

"Bales"!!

[Underdog88]

Surprised the caught them in the Pacific but took them to KeyW by ship?

[Ratickle]

That is weird. Maybe because they were close to the canal and a ship was going that way?

[fund razor]

Surprised the caught them in the Pacific but took them to KeyW by ship?

This is one of those things like Windsor is south of Detroit, even though Canada is north of the US.

Most of Panama is east of Key West. No part of Panama extends farther west than Cincinnati. The eastern end of Panama lines up with Jamaica. That and probably a ship going that way.

[Ratickle]

I had to look at a map to believe you!! Panama City is east of Miami!!!

[fund razor]

Not sure how to take that.

[Ratickle]