LOS ANGELES
A Philippines national has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he smuggled approximately 227 kilograms — about 500 pounds — of cocaine aboard an oil tanker traveling from Ecuador to the Los Angeles area, federal authorities announced Friday.
Quick Facts
- Defendant: Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., 43
- Nationality: Philippines
- Charge: Importation of a controlled substance
- Cocaine seized: 227 kilograms (500 pounds)
- Vessel: Aquatravesia
- Shipment origin: Ecuador
- Alleged destination: Mexican cartel operatives
- Arrest location: Los Angeles/Long Beach port complex
- Possible sentence: 10 years to life in federal prison
Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., 43, is charged with importing a controlled substance after authorities seized the cocaine from the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged oil tanker Aquatravesia near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
According to a federal affidavit, law enforcement received intelligence earlier this month that the vessel was transporting large quantities of cocaine intended for delivery to a Mexican drug cartel.
Crew members later discovered multiple packages hidden inside the ship’s garbage room. The ship’s captain identified Gelacio as allegedly possessing the narcotics and secured the drugs in another room aboard the vessel.
Federal investigators said cartel members operating small armed boats allegedly planned to intercept the tanker in Mexican waters about 80 nautical miles offshore on May 14 and May 15 to retrieve the cocaine.
Authorities also reported suspected radio contact from cartel operatives attempting to communicate with the vessel before a possible boarding attemptU.S. authorities directed the tanker to anchor near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where law enforcement boarded the vessel Thursday and seized the cocaine.
Investigators allege Gelacio received the narcotics in Ecuador and intended to transfer them while the ship traveled past Mexico.
Gelacio made his initial court appearance Friday in federal court in downtown Los Angeles.
If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of life.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Coast Guard.