NORFOLK, Va. – On August 23, a federal jury convicted two Nicaraguan nationals, Maximo Zacarias, 43, and Bernacio Solares Ramon, 30, for possession with intent to distribute over two tons of marijuana in international waters off the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Their capture and subsequent conviction highlight the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to combat drug trafficking on the high seas.
The case unfolded on September 27, 2023, when a U.S. maritime patrol aircraft spotted a “go-fast vessel” (GFV) approximately 97 nautical miles southwest of Malpelo Island, Colombia. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter James, a National Security Cutter, was in the vicinity and quickly moved to intercept the suspicious vessel.
When attempts to communicate with the GFV failed, Cutter James launched a helicopter to intervene. After the vessel ignored warning shots, the helicopter’s precision gunner disabled the GFV’s engines, allowing a boarding team to approach and secure the boat.
Onboard, the team discovered three individuals, including Zacarias and Ramon, along with 74 bales of marijuana weighing over 4,600 pounds. They also found a five-gallon bucket containing various electronic devices used for navigation and communication, including GPS coordinates pointing to a route near a Pacific island off Costa Rica.
Ramon and Zacarias are scheduled for sentencing on December 19, with each facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. Their co-defendant, 29-year-old Ismael Alexis Martinez, pled guilty earlier this month and will be sentenced on December 17 under the same severe penalties.
Federal sentences, while potentially severe, are often less than the maximum allowed by law. A federal district court judge will consider multiple factors, including U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, before determining their fate.