Three Ecuadorian nationals admitted in District Court to smuggling 800 kilograms of cocaine after their vessel was intercepted in international waters, U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced.
Luis Menocal-Mero, 41, Carlos Baque-Pincay, 23, and Carlos Anchundia-Mero, 24, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Emile A. Henderson III to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance while on board a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction, according to court documents.
Court documents show that on March 8, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Farragut, on routine patrol, intercepted a go-fast vessel approximately 110 nautical miles southeast of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The vessel, which lacked a national flag or other identifying markers, raised suspicion of illicit maritime activity. Coast Guard personnel boarded the boat under the right of visit authority, finding Menocal-Mero, Baque-Pincay, and Anchundia-Mero aboard. A crew member claimed Ecuadorian nationality for the vessel, but Ecuadorian officials could not confirm or deny the claim. As a result, the vessel was deemed stateless and fell under U.S. jurisdiction. Authorities discovered 30 bales containing 800 kilograms of cocaine on board.
The defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years when sentenced on July 16.
