Columbian drug trafficker sentenced to more than 19 years in federal prison

TAMPA, Fla. — A Columbian drug trafficker was sentenced to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison Wednesday for conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine while onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. The sentencing comes after an investigation by the Panama Express Strike Force, involving members of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI and the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

Alex Gonzalez-Arango, 39, of Buenaventura, Colombia, pleaded guilty March 11, 2014.

"This case exemplifies the strong relationship between federal agencies in the central Florida region, working together to increase the safety of our citizens," said Susan L. McCormick, special agent in charge of HSI Tampa.

According to court documents, Gonzalez-Arango was a manager/supervisor of a drug trafficking organization operating out of Colombia and Venezuela. In that role, during July and September 2011, he helped to organize and execute multi-ton shipments of cocaine via two different self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessels. In particular, Gonzalez-Arango recruited crewmembers for both SPSS ventures, and managed the day-to-day operations at the SPSS construction sites in Venezuela.

On or about July 13, 2011, the USCG interdicted the first SPSS vessel in the Caribbean Sea. The vessel was approximately forty-five feet long. The USCG intercepted the SPSS just as its crew scuttled the vessel, causing it to sink. Thereafter, law enforcement retrieved approximately 232 bales of cocaine from the sunken SPSS, making the total shipment weight approximately 5,861 kilograms of cocaine.

On or about Sept. 17, 2011, the USCG intercepted the second SPSS vessel off of the coast of Honduras, in international waters. This second SPSS was approximately fifty to sixty feet in length and was estimated to be carrying more than 3,000 kilograms of cocaine when its crew scuttled it upon interdiction.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Jackson and sentenced by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich.

The Panama Express Strike Force is a federally-approved Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. Operation Panama Express currently targets South American-based drug trafficking organizations responsible for smuggling drugs to the United States and elsewhere for distribution.