A major transnational criminal organization (TCO) operating from the Venezuelan/Colombian border has been dismantled, with its leaders sentenced to lengthy prison terms, announced Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney. The organization was responsible for trafficking thousands of kilograms of cocaine intended for the United States and Europe.
The “Socrates Barros-Fince Transnational Criminal Organization,” based in La Guajira, was involved in dispatching cocaine-laden vessels to the Dominican Republic and Spain.
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From their base, they planned smuggling operations and recruited crew members.
The following individuals, all part of the organization, have been sentenced:
- Socrates Gabriel Barros-Fince, a.k.a. “Chunchun,” “Chun,” “Indio,” “El Loco,” “Tawara,” “Chupo,” 45, sentenced to 17 years, 6 months.
- Cristian Camilo Cordoba-Cuesta, a.k.a. “Cris,” “El Primo,” 37, sentenced to 14 years.
- Jorge Leonardo Diaz-Ramos, a.k.a. “40,” “Numerito,” 35, sentenced to 7 years, 3 months.
- Santander Barros-Pulido, a.k.a. “Pollo,” “Tio,” “Divino,” 57, sentenced to 15 years, 8 months.
- Nefer Alfonso Hinojosa-Larrada, a.k.a. “El Negrito,” “Divino,” 45, sentenced to 15 years, 8 months.
According to plea agreements, the organization’s members were aware that a portion of the cocaine they trafficked was destined for the United States.
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The investigation resulted in the seizure of over 6,700 kilograms of cocaine associated with the organization, in operations prosecuted in the U.S. and abroad:
- Approximately 932 kilograms of cocaine seized near the Dominican Republic on August 15, 2016.
- Interdiction of a go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea on November 9-10, 2016, smuggling about 700 kilograms of cocaine, prosecuted in the District of Puerto Rico.
- Interdiction of a go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea on October 4, 2018, smuggling over 450 kilograms of cocaine, prosecuted in the Middle District of Florida.
- Interdiction of the M/V KARAR carrying about 4,000 kilograms of cocaine off the coast of Galicia, Spain on April 25, 2020, resulting in the arrests of 15 crew members and a dozen Spanish organized crime members.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and TCOs, and protecting communities from violent crime.
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