Boat owner and captain charged in Miami cocaine trafficking operation

MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A boat owner and his captain have been charged with attempting to smuggle nearly three-quarters of a ton of cocaine into Miami, following a U.S. Coast Guard interception that unveiled a staggering drug operation.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Jeffry Dominguez, 34, and Luis Antonio Garcia Rosario, 37, planned to transport hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from the Dominican Republic to Miami between August 24 and 28.

Officials reported that on August 29, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a 44-foot vessel as it was entering U.S. waters. During the boarding, law enforcement identified Dominguez as the registered owner of the boat and Garcia Rosario as the captain.

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The DOJ said that a search uncovered 741 packages hidden in a concealed compartment, totaling approximately 742 kilograms of cocaine.

Both men are now facing criminal counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, as well as conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of life in prison for these charges.

Garcia Rosario, a Dominican national, may also face deportation if found guilty.

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