On December 4, 2025, Denny Andres Mero Anchundia, a citizen of Ecuador, was sentenced to 235 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Terry F. Moorer. The sentence follows Anchundia’s guilty plea for smuggling approximately 1,828 kilograms of cocaine in the Pacific Ocean.
According to court documents, on March 3, 2025, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Kimball detected a vessel suspected of drug smuggling during a routine patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The vessel was operating without nationality in international waters and carried visible packages and fuel barrels on deck with three outboard engines.
The Coast Guard intercepted the vessel, which complied with their instructions. After stopping the boat, the boarding team took control of those onboard and confirmed that the packages contained cocaine. They also determined that the vessel had no nationality. Six people were found onboard, including Anchundia. Both the crew and the cocaine were transferred to the Kimball. The total weight of cocaine was measured at approximately 1,828 kilograms. Due to being considered a navigation hazard, the vessel was sunk.
All six crew members were brought to the United States and charged under the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act.
United States Attorney Sean P. Costello announced: “This case was prosecuted as a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
The investigation was conducted by both the United States Coast Guard and Homeland Security Investigations within the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney George F. May prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
