Feds Seize $6.4M in Cocaine at LA Port, Arrest Cartel Smuggler
Federal agents seized approximately 500 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $6.4 million aboard an oil tanker at the Port of Los Angeles this week, arresting a Filipino national on charges of drug importation in an operation that involved cartel members radioing the vessel to demand their narcotics before authorities intercepted the shipment.
Ceasar Tubay Gelacio Jr., 43, was charged with importation of a controlled substance and faces between 10 years and life in federal prison if convicted, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
The Operation
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a joint boarding operation on Thursday aboard the Motor Tanker Aquatravesia, a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker docked at the Port of Los Angeles that had last departed from Ecuador, according to Fox News.
A Coast Guard narcotics detection canine alerted authorities to suspected contraband hidden in the ship’s garbage room. Investigators later confirmed the packages contained 500 pounds (226 kilograms) of cocaine. Some packages bore “Dior” branding, according to reports.
“This operation highlights Homeland Security Investigations’ unwavering commitment to combating transnational crime and safeguarding the United States from illicit narcotics,” HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang said in a statement. “HSI’s swift response and investigative expertise were instrumental in identifying and seizing over 226 kilograms of cocaine destined for our communities.”
Cartel Radio Communications
According to an affidavit filed in the case, crew members discovered numerous packages hidden in the ship’s garbage room and believed them to contain narcotics. While the Aquatravesia was still in Mexican waters, the captain was allegedly told that cartel members would be waiting roughly 80 nautical miles offshore on the evening of May 14 and the early morning of May 15 to retrieve the drugs.
Prosecutors said the captain received radio calls from cartel members attempting to communicate with the vessel. If the narcotics were not delivered, additional boats would allegedly intercept the vessel in Mexican waters to recover the contraband.
U.S. authorities directed the tanker to continue to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where law enforcement boarded the vessel on Thursday. The ship’s captain had moved the narcotics to another part of the vessel after interviewing crew members and learning the drugs allegedly belonged to Gelacio.
Broader Enforcement Context
Capt. Stacey Crecy, sector commander for Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, called the seizure a “testament to the coordinated efforts” of DHS agencies working to dismantle drug-smuggling operations.
“Through stellar coordination, we effectively detained the suspect and removed the contraband from the vessel to protect the maritime transportation system and facilitate commerce as quickly as possible,” Crecy said.
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach form the largest shipping complex in the United States, handling approximately 30% of America’s international seaborne cargo — making them prime targets for drug cartels. The Coast Guard’s anti-drug campaign in the Eastern Pacific has reached historic levels, with more than 510,000 pounds of cocaine seized globally.
Earlier in 2026, authorities carried out similar enforcement operations involving other motor tankers. The Trump administration’s tougher border enforcement and expanded maritime interdiction efforts have been cited as key factors behind recent declines in narcotics trafficking activity, with migrant apprehensions at the southern border dropping by more than 90% compared to peak levels, allowing personnel to redirect resources toward cargo inspection.
What’s Next
DHS confirmed that two additional individuals were also taken into custody in connection with the operation. Gelacio faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted on the drug importation charge.
The seizure provides valuable intelligence on cartel maritime smuggling methods, including the use of oil tankers originating from South America with drugs concealed in crew-accessible areas and coordinated offshore handoffs. Federal officials continue to target so-called “ghost fleet” vessels suspected of moving illegal cargo to bankroll transnational criminal organizations.