Coordination between U.S. and Honduran law enforcement led to the extradition of a Honduran national accused of participating in a drug smuggling conspiracy. Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, 39, is alleged to have been part of a scheme to transport around 24 kilograms of cocaine from Honduras to the United States on a vessel carrying 23 Honduran nationals. The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted the vessel, M/V Pop, off the coast of Louisiana in February 2022 after it experienced engine trouble.
According to court documents, Velasquez Maldonado attempted to avoid prosecution by posing as an alien seeking to stay in the United States. He is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Velasquez Maldonado made his initial court appearance in the Eastern District of Louisiana. If found guilty, he faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment.
Several co-defendants, including Carl Allison, Darrel Martinez, and Josue Flores-Villeda, pleaded guilty in 2023 to charges related to unlawful alien smuggling and cocaine distribution. Lenord Cooper also pleaded guilty to aiding illegal entry for financial gain, while Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya and Rudy Jackson Hernandez were convicted on multiple counts related to alien smuggling.
The announcement was made by several officials: Matthew R. Galeotti, Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans Field Office.
The case was handled under Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) Program, which target human smuggling networks. JTFA has resulted in over 360 arrests and 325 convictions linked to alien smuggling. The ECT Program focuses on human smuggling networks that pose national security or humanitarian risks.
This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at eliminating cartels and criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
Several law enforcement agencies, including HSI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Coast Guard, contributed to the investigation. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and other divisions also provided assistance.
Deputy Chief Rami Badawy and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice are prosecuting the case. It is important to note that an indictment is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.