Tampa, FL – A U.S. District Court sentenced Cesar Augusto Romero Caballero of Colombia to 15 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Judge James Moody Jr. issued the sentence on Wednesday, following Romero Caballero’s guilty plea on April 8.
Court documents revealed that Romero Caballero, formerly of the Colombian Navy, recruited active-duty navy members to plant GPS tracking devices on vessels. This enabled Transnational Criminal Organizations to navigate cocaine-laden ships around Colombian Navy patrols en route to the United States.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi remarked on the significance of the case, emphasizing its importance to the Department of Justice’s efforts to combat drug trafficking. Special Agent Deanne L. Reuter acknowledged the teamwork and dedication involved in bringing this case to a close.
The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative supported the prosecution. This initiative promotes collaboration among multiple agencies to address major drug trafficking operations.