Puerto Rican jet ski cocaine trafficker gets 10 years

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – A Puerto Rican native was sentenced to 10 years in prison for trafficking cocaine using a jet ski.

Emanuel Rodriguez-Rodriguez, 34, was ordered to serve121 months in prison and five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 25 kilograms of cocaine, Acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper said today.

According to court documents, on December 11, 2021, at approximately 9:00 a.m., U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) air patrol detected four jet skis traveling from Culebra, Puerto Rico towards St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

AMO air patrol watched the jet skis, each operated by a sole occupant, as they approached the west side of St. Thomas. Air patrol watched as the jet skis made way to the beach at Mermaid’s Chair where they were met by four individuals waiting on the beach.

AMO agents saw duffle bags being loaded on to the skis, and the skis quickly leaving towards Culebra, PR. AMO agents also noticed that a red Jeep Wrangler was the only vehicle parked in the parking area above the beach while the skis were being loaded with the duffle bags.

AMO law enforcement vessels pursued the four jet skis towards Culebra, PR. One driver drove his ski on to a Culebra, Puerto Rico beach and fled on foot. A duffle bag was recovered near the abandoned ski. Inside the duffle bag, officers recovered 26 packages containing cocaine.

Three other operators were apprehended.

Meanwhile, DEA, CBP, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents responded to the Botany Bay Preserve community to investigate the red Jeep Wrangler seen by AMO air agents.