Three foreign nationals have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a conspiracy to traffic cocaine from Colombia through Honduras into the United States. The case centered on Humberto Cantillo Duran, also known as Niño or Juan Carlos, age 37, from Colombia; and Honduran nationals Mario Rodolfo Mejia-Cubillas, also known as Yofo, age 54; and Edgardo Rene Velasquez Navarro, also known as Burro, age 54.
According to court documents, the three men led a drug trafficking operation based in Colón, Honduras. The group was responsible for distributing thousands of kilograms of cocaine valued at millions of dollars into the United States. The conspiracy operated out of eastern Honduras where they received shipments from South America before moving them through Central America toward the U.S.
Cantillo Duran coordinated shipments from Colombia to Honduras and assisted in finding buyers such as Mejia-Cubillas and Velasquez Navarro. After cocaine arrived in Honduras, it was broken down and prepared for further transport across the country under their supervision. Honduran law enforcement intercepted communications among the conspirators discussing shipments, payments, violence against rival traffickers, sources of supply in South America, and the U.S. market as their destination. On several occasions, authorities seized large shipments moved by members of the group.
All three defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine with intent for unlawful importation into the United States.
Sentences were handed down over several months: Velasquez Navarro received 12 years in prison on March 11; Mejia-Cubillas received 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 Washington Division announced these sentences after U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema issued them.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristin S. Starr, Anthony T. Aminoff, and Philip Alito prosecuted this case.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative led by the Department of Justice aiming to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). This effort brings together resources from various agencies through Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs).
Additional information about this case can be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or by searching Case No. 1:23-cr-142 on PACER or at the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia website.
