AUTHORITIES ARREST AND CHARGE TWO SPANIARD SHIP-MEN IN CONNECTION WITH INTERNATIONAL DRUG TRAFFICKIN
- Anthony F Lemmo
- Jan 28, 2016
- 4 min read
The United States Drug Enforcement Agency announced Tuesday that a two year long investigation led to the arrest of two alleged Colombian drug traffickers who conspired to smuggle multi-kilogram quantities of heroin and cocaine into New York City aboard the emblematic Royal Spanish Navy training vessel, the Juan Sebastian de Elcano, between April and May of 2014.
The Juan Sebastian de Elcano is a famed, four-masted schooner built in 1927 and viewed as a symbolic “floating embassy” for Spain. The midshipmen received the narcotics while the Juan Sebastian de Elcano was docked in Cartagena on or about April 16, 2014.
Upon arriving in the Port of New York, the Spanish vessel docked on Manhattan’s West Side near the U.S.S. Intrepid. On May 14, 2014, the ship’s last full day in New York City, the midshipmen allegedly met with the local traffickers and accompanied them to a residence in the Bronx, New York in order to deliver the narcotics.
The multi-agency investigation uncovered a major international drug trafficking operation that spanned from The Bronx section of New York City to Cartagena, Columbia.
On May 14, 2014, law enforcement video surveillance captured the two Spaniards delivering the narcotics to the New York City traffickers at a residence located in the Bronx, New York. Law enforcement tracked the organization members as they subsequently transported the heroin to a second location in the Bronx, New York.
On May 16, 2014, members involved in the multi-agency operation– followed two vehicles linked to the New York City-based drug trafficking organization as they travelled north on Interstate 95 towards Hartford, Conn. to deliver the heroin (as well as additional narcotics). With assistance from the DEA’s New Haven District Office and the Hartford Resident Office, agents and officers tracked the vehicles to a residential building.
Authorities stated the four kilograms of heroin and additional multi-kilogram quantities of narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and cash were seized at the location, The NYDETF also recovered the four kilograms of cocaine from a vehicle parked outside of the Bronx stash location. Additional narcotics, weapons, and narcotics paraphernalia were also subsequently recovered at locations in the Bronx associated with this investigation.
Seven individuals associated with the New York City-based trafficking group were previously arrested and indicted following the delivery involving the Juan Sebastian de Elcano. After leaving New York, the Juan Sebastian de Elcano travelled to Ireland, Norway, Germany, and finally back to its home port in Cadiz, Spain. Officers with the Spanish Civil Guard conducted a thorough search of the ship and recovered 127 kilograms of cocaine (nearly 280 lbs.) in a storeroom for reserve sails. This seizure is the subject of an ongoing investigation. Hoayeck and Siado-Alvarez have not been charged in connection with this shipment of narcotics.
DEA Special Agent in Charge James Hunt stated, “During the height of the heroin epidemic in 2014, drug law enforcement dismantled an expansive heroin crew operating in NYC and supplying cities throughout the Northeast. Furthering the investigation, law enforcement tracked the heroin source across international waters to Cartagena, Colombia. Today's arrests of Hoayeck and Siado-Alvarez were a result of excellent law enforcement collaboration at the state, local, federal and international level. ”
Bridget G. Brennan said, “This investigation uncovered a major global drug importation scheme in which suppliers in Colombia smuggled narcotics aboard an emblematic Spanish navy schooner. A tourist attraction wherever it anchors, the ship served as the perfect cover for traffickers as it hopscotched across the Atlantic Ocean and back carrying its illicit cargo. Here in New York, while docked near the Intrepid, sailors offloaded heroin and cocaine to local distributors. It was only through the collaboration of authorities in Spain, Colombia and here in New York that we were able to disrupt this surprising smuggling operation.”
“This elaborate scheme, spanning oceans, enabled high-end Colombian drugs to be smuggled aboard Spanish military ships, deep into the bowels of New York City. Today's indictment brings this drug running route - and this alleged corruption in the Spanish military - to an end,” said Police Commissioner William J. Bratton.
U.S. authorities along with international authorities were able to safely apprehend both Hoayeck and Siado-Alvarez in Columbia; Upon an indepth investigation in Columbia authorities were able to uncover that both individuals involved in the trafficking of the illicit drugs had been involved in the Columbian Drug Trafficking Organization which was responsible for trafficking drugs, money and weapons across international boarders; U.S. authorities are currently in the extradition process to have both Hoayeck and Siado-Alvarez extradited back to the United States to face charges.
Jorge Luis Hoayeck has been charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker – 1 ct, Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct, CSCS 1st – 2 cts, CPCS 1st – 2 cts and CPCS 3rd – 2 cts
Jorge Alberto Siado-Alvarez has been charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker – 1 ct, Conspiracy 2nd – 1 ct, CSCS 1st – 2 cts, CPCS 1st – 2 cts and CPCS 3rd – 2 cts
Authorities state The charges and allegations are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
New York State Police Superintendent stated at the end of the announcement “I want to thank the members of the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force and our federal and international law enforcement partners for their work on this case. With these arrests, we have disrupted a major international drug operation that was smuggling heroin and cocaine into New York State. This case sends a strong message that those who bring dangerous, illegal narcotics into our communities will be tracked down and held accountable for their crimes, no matter where they reside.” said Joseph A. D'Amico.
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