28-04-2025
2 men sentenced to 10 years after over 2 tons of marijuana seized on high seas
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Two Nicaraguan nationals were sentenced on Thursday to 10 years in prison each after violating the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act.
According to court documents, on Sept. 27, 2023, a maritime patrol aircraft found a go-fast vessel (GFV) 97 nautical miles southwest of Malpelo Island, Columbia in international waters. A nearby National Security Cutter, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James (WSML 754), then attempted intercepted the GFV.
After receiving authority, the Cutter James then launched a helicopter to contact the vessel, activated blue warning lights and fired three warning shots to get the GFV to stop. The GFV failed to yield, resulting in a precision gunner disabling the GFV's engines.
Onboard the vessel, crews with the Cutter James found three people, 43-year-old Maximo Zacarias, 30-year-old Alexis Martinez and 31-year-old Bernacio Solares Ramon, as well as 4,610 pounds of marijuana and several communication and electronic devices in a five-gallon bucket.
On Aug. 8, Martinez pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 1000 kilograms of marijuana on board a vessel and was sentenced to two years and six months in prison on Jan. 23.
On Aug. 23, Zacarias and Ramon were convicted of possession with intent to distribute over two tons of marijuana on the high seas while in international waters on a stateless vessel to the jurisdiction of the United States. Both men were sentenced on April 24, 2025.
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