Three foreign nationals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a conspiracy to traffic cocaine from Colombia through Honduras and into the United States. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a case involving Humberto Cantillo Duran, also known as Niño or Juan Carlos, 37, a Colombian national; Mario Rodolfo Mejia-Cubillas, also known as Yofo, 54, a Honduran national; and Edgardo Rene Velasquez Navarro, also known as Burro, 54, another Honduran national.
Court documents show that the three led a drug trafficking operation based in Colón, Honduras. They were responsible for distributing thousands of kilograms of cocaine valued at millions of dollars into the United States. The group operated from eastern Honduras where they received shipments from South America before moving them through Central America to their final destination in the U.S.
Cantillo Duran coordinated shipments from Colombia to Honduras and helped find buyers such as Mejia-Cubillas and Velasquez Navarro. Once the cocaine arrived in Honduras, it was unloaded and prepared for further transport under their supervision. Honduran law enforcement intercepted communications among the conspirators discussing details about shipments, payments, violence against rivals, sources in South America, and plans for distribution in the U.S. Authorities also seized several large shipments moved by the group.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine with intent to unlawfully import it into the United States. Sentencing details are as follows: Velasquez Navarro received 12 years on March 11; Mejia-Cubillas was sentenced to 13 years and four months on April 1; Cantillo Duran was sentenced yesterday to 15 years.
“Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Christopher C. Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Washington Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin S. Starr, Anthony T. Aminoff, and Philip Alito prosecuted the case.”
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs).”
Further information can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents are available via the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or by searching Case No. 1:23-cr-142 on PACER.
