A Mexican national was sentenced Friday to 46 months in federal prison for his role in a conspiracy to transport more than 1,200 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Francisco Hernandez Penaloza, 65, was sentenced June 12 by Chief U.S. District Judge Robert A. Molloy after pleading guilty to conspiring to transport and possess with intent to distribute approximately 1,295 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel subject to U.S. jurisdiction, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a press release.
According to court documents cited by prosecutors, the case began Sept. 5, 2024, when the Royal Canadian Navy ship HMCS Yellowknife intercepted a disabled go-fast vessel in international waters about 427 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, Mexico. A U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement team was aboard the vessel during a routine patrol.
Authorities said the vessel was adrift with fuel barrels and bales visible on deck and displayed no flag or other indication of nationality. Coast Guard personnel boarded the vessel after suspecting illicit maritime activity and encountered three people on board, including Penaloza.
A search of the vessel uncovered 35 bales believed to contain narcotics, according to court records. The three occupants were detained, and the bales were removed before the damaged vessel was sunk. Testing conducted by a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory later confirmed the bales contained 1,295 kilograms of cocaine.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations. Criminal Chief Kyle Payne of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case, according to the release.
