The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico announced on July 16 a series of convictions and sentencings resulting from Homeland Security Task Force prosecutions between July 7 and July 11, 2026. The cases involve drug trafficking, firearm offenses, improper entry by aliens, and conspiracy to import large quantities of cocaine.
According to the announcement, Jacier Collazo-Cruz pleaded guilty on July 7 to drug and firearm charges related to his participation in a violent drug trafficking organization operating in Manatí, Puerto Rico. Joe Mercado pleaded guilty on July 10 to conspiracy charges involving the importation of approximately 340 kilograms of cocaine into the United States. Sentencing dates for both defendants are set for October.
Several individuals were sentenced during this period. Vicente González received a sentence of time served for stowing away on a vessel and improper entry by an alien. Julio Linarez-Cabrera was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment and five years’ supervised release for conspiracy to import about 150 kilograms of cocaine. Camilo Mieses-Guerrero received a sentence of 36 months for aiding entry of an aggravated felon; Rafelín Zorrilla-Delgado was sentenced to 15 months; Antonio Matrillé-Tejada received an 18-month term—both also related to assisting aggravated felons enter the United States. Daniel Morla-Reyes was sentenced to over fourteen years in prison for his role in a violent drug trafficking group linked with public housing projects around Manatí. Michael Mercedes-Vázquez also received time served after pleading guilty to stowing away on a vessel and improper entry by an alien.
These actions are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established under Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The task force is described as “a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.” It places special emphasis on crimes involving children and utilizes all available tools “to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.” Federal partners include agencies such as FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP components (OFO, AMO, Border Patrol), U.S. Marshals Service for Puerto Rico/U.S Virgin Islands, DEA, ATF, IRS, U.S Coast Guard entities including its Investigative Service, U.S Postal Inspection Service, Department of State, Secret Service, TSA, FAA as well as local law enforcement bodies like municipal police departments across Puerto Rico.
The U.S Attorney’s Office supports public safety by handling federal crimes including civil rights violations; enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions; serves all areas within its district; provides mechanisms for reporting crime; addresses issues such as public corruption or drug trafficking—all according to information provided by the official website.