A man from the Republic of Costa Rica, pled guilty Tuesday on St. Croix to his role in conspiracy charges related to the transport of 4,000 pounds of marijuana on board a vessel subject to the U.S. said U.S. Attorney Delia L. Smith.
On November 7, 2022, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Campbell observed a speeding vessel and arrived alongside it. There were three occupants on board with no physical flag flown, no registration documents, a registration number painted on the hull, and the name “Agamenon” on the hull. Visible contraband was seen on the deck of the vessel. One of the three occupants detained in the seizure of approximately 57 bales of suspected marijuana for a total at-sea weight of 4,104 pounds was Luis Antonio Orellana- Orellano, 69, from the Republic of Costa Rica, according to court documents.
Orellana -Orellana’s sentencing is scheduled for October 21, 2023, where he faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, said Smith.
The two other occupants, Keyran Coto Lopez and Alonso Hernandez -Hernandez have initial appearances scheduled on June 21, for charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute while on board a vessel to the United States. If convicted, both face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, said Smith.
This case is being investigated jointly by U.S. Coast Guard and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
