LOS ANGELES — A Philippine national pleaded guilty Monday to knowingly bringing nearly 200 kilograms of cocaine aboard an oil tanker that traveled from Ecuador to El Segundo, federal prosecutors announced.
Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., 43, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly bringing cocaine aboard a vessel arriving in the United States. He has remained in federal custody since May 21.
U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson scheduled sentencing for Oct. 19. Gelacio faces up nto life in prison.
- Defendant: Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., 43
- Nationality: Philippine national
- Charge: Knowingly bringing cocaine aboard a vessel arriving in the United States
- Plea: Guilty
- Drug seized: Approximately 195 kilograms (430 pounds) of cocaine
- Origin of voyage: Ecuador
- Destination: El Segundo, California
- Vessel: Aquatravesia
- Location of drugs: Garbage compartment and defendant’s cabin
- Discovery: Ship’s crew located the cocaine and informed the captain
- Sentencing date: Oct. 19
- Potential sentence: Mandatory minimum 10 years; maximum life in federal prison
According to his plea agreement, Gelacio was working as an able-bodied seaman aboard the Aquatravesia in May 2026 when, while the vessel was docked in Ecuador, he agreed with an individual identified only as “Luis” to possess and conceal more than five kilograms of cocaine aboard the ship.
Instead, prosecutors said Gelacio concealed approximately 195 kilograms (430 pounds) of cocaine in the vessel’s garbage compartment and inside his cabin.
On May 21, 2026, the Aquatravesia entered U.S. waters near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with the narcotics still aboard.
According to court documents, crew members discovered the concealed cocaine and alerted the ship’s captain, who determined Gelacio possessed the drugs. The captain secured the narcotics and notified law enforcement.
Authorities later recovered approximately 195 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside trash bags in the vessel’s garbage area.