2 MEN ARRESTED FOR PLOTTING TO MOVE 190 POUNDS OF COCAINE THROUGH ST. THOMAS

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Federal criminal charges have been filed against two men for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, following the seizure of 86 kilograms of cocaine and a firearm at a Frenchtown residence on St. Thomas.

Yefri Martinez Herrera of the Dominican Republic and Kelly Bruney of the Caribbean were arrested on Thursday and made their initial appearances in federal court on Friday, according to U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert.

According to court documents, Kelly Bruney is the alleged leader of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) which distributes kilogram quantities of cocaine to drug organizations in the Caribbean and owns kilogram quantities of drugs in St. Thomas.

Yefri Martinez Herrera is described in court documents as a “broker,” who connects individuals looking to purchase kilogram quantities of cocaine with individuals looking to sell kilogram quantities of cocaine.

On January 18, 2022, Martinez Herrera and Bruney were involved in planning a drug transaction involving 200 kilograms of cocaine, and on February 3, 2022, Martinez Herrera and Bruney prepared to sell 86 kilograms of cocaine.