In the United States, seven people have been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for attempting to smuggle cocaine into international waters.

A Florida judge has sentenced four Mexicans and three Ecuadorians to federal prison for their part in a plan to bring a $20 million shipment from South America to Central America.

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The Mexicans Luis B, Isaac E. and Juan H. were sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison, their other compatriot, Romeo S., to 20 years. In the case of Ecuadorians Juan M., Jaime V. and Eddy A., they too were sentenced to 21 years and 10 months in prison.

In a statement, the US Department of Justice indicated that the seven were part of a crew that smuggled 760 kilograms of cocaine from South America to Mexico. However, on January 14, 2021, they were discovered in international waters, more than 200 miles south of Huatelco (Mexico). Before that, they were intercepted by the Coast Guard and found to be throwing bags overboard. Authorities managed to determine that one ship had left South America and met another in Mexico, the latter having engine problems so they had to travel in the slowest boat.

At trial, the Ecuadorians claimed they were adrift and were rescued before the Coast Guard arrived, while the Mexicans claimed they were tricked into making the trip.

Among the detainees, there was a plan for one of them to plead guilty and provide false information to exonerate the others. This was discovered by authorities who revealed to the jury that cell phone information and GPS data showed they were at sea days before an abduction was alleged. In addition, one of the Mexicans already had a previous conviction for drug trafficking, while Eddy A. had another one in Ecuador, which is under appeal.

“The court ruled that each defendant obstructed justice by having Luis B. provide false information during the trial. In particular, he obstructed justice when he gave false information to the officers, and the co-defendants obstructed justice by attempting to take advantage of Luis B.’s trial testimony, knowing it to be false,” the statement said.