An indictment was unsealed in Brooklyn federal court, charging six individuals with conspiracy and violations related to the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act. The accused are Elkin Armando Alomia Quinones, Diego Luis Obregon Aguirre, Edwin Obregon Castro, Juan Matias Obregon Castro (also known as "Mauricio"), Rodrigo Obregon Saavedra (also known as "Don Ricky"), and Narjel Paredes (also known as "Nacho"). They face charges for an international cocaine distribution conspiracy that led to the seizure of over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine intended for distribution in the United States. The indictment was initially returned under seal by a grand jury in November 2024. All six defendants were apprehended in Colombia, and the United States is seeking their extradition to face charges in New York.
John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge at DEA New York; and Michael Alfonso, Acting Special Agent in Charge at HSI New York announced these developments.
"As alleged, the defendants are members of a Colombian transnational maritime drug trafficking organization that specializes in building semi-submersible vessels and using the vessels to transport multi-ton quantities of cocaine to Mexico and Central America, for ultimate distribution in the United States," stated U.S. Attorney Durham. "With today’s arrests, the defendants’ conspiracy has been torpedoed."
Mr. Durham commended DEA New York’s Strike Force, DEA Bogota, and HSI New York’s El Dorado Task Force for their investigative work. He also acknowledged assistance from Colombia's Cuerpo Técnico de Investigación and other agencies.
"The removal of over 5,000 kilograms of cocaine from international waters illustrates the DEA’s global pursuit," said DEA New York Special Agent Tarentino.
HSI New York Acting Special Agent Alfonso added: "As alleged, investigators repeatedly intercepted the defendants' attempts to transport cocaine via semi-submersible vessels traveling through international waterways."
The investigation revealed that this criminal organization specialized in constructing self-propelled semi-submersible vessels used to transport large quantities of cocaine from Colombia to areas controlled by the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico before reaching the United States.
Law enforcement seized thousands of kilograms of cocaine linked to this organization during two notable incidents: one on June 27, 2023 (2,312 kilograms), and another on October 7, 2023 (3,300 kilograms).
This case is part of Operation Take Back America aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The charges remain allegations until proven guilty. If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lorena Michelen and Katherine Onyshko are leading the prosecution.