Tampa, FL – In a nautical twist of fate, Hector Caballero (70, Venezuela), a seasoned sea captain, has been sentenced to 17 years and 6 months behind bars for orchestrating a high-seas cocaine trafficking venture, Your Content has learned.
On a voyage that was anything but smooth sailing, Caballero’s vessel was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard 100 nautical miles north of Colombia. The crew’s attempt to escape was thwarted when a Coast Guard helicopter put the brakes on their engines with well-aimed shots.
The vessel’s hidden treasure? A whopping 708 kilograms of cocaine, tucked away under fuel barrels and tarp, valued at about $21 million. This wasn’t Caballero’s maiden voyage into the world of drug trafficking, as he had previously been convicted in Spain for a similar escapade.
The case was a joint effort by various U.S. agencies, including the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations. Caballero’s dreams of a luxurious retirement may have been dashed, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.