A Honduran national, Olvin Javier Velasquez Maldonado, was extradited to the United States on April 11, 2025, on charges related to an international drug smuggling conspiracy. His extradition was a result of coordinated efforts between U.S. and Honduran law enforcement agencies.
Velasquez Maldonado, aged 39, is accused of participating in a scheme to transport 24 kilograms of cocaine from Honduras to the U.S. The operation was intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard in February 2022, 75 miles off Louisiana's coast, after the involved vessel named M/V Pop encountered engine difficulties. Velasquez Maldonado allegedly disguised himself as an undocumented immigrant to evade legal action upon his capture.
Matthew R. Galeotti, leading the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, alongside acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and Eric DeLaune, Special Agent in Charge at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans, announced the extradition.
Velasquez Maldonado faces charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He has made his initial court appearance. If found guilty, Velasquez Maldonado could face a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and potentially life imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by a federal judge considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
Three co-defendants, Carl Allison (47), Darrel Martinez (41), and Josue Flores-Villeda (37), confessed to related charges in 2023. Lenord Cooper, 40, admitted guilt in aiding illegal entry into the U.S. by aliens for profit, while Hennessy Devon Cooper Zelaya (29) and Rudy Jackson Hernandez (38) were convicted after a trial.
The indictment remains an allegation, and Velasquez Maldonado is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The extradition and investigation were managed by Joint Task Force Alpha and the Extraterritorial Criminal Travel Strike Force (ECT) program. Joint Task Force Alpha, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security, targets human smuggling and trafficking networks in regions impacting U.S. border security. The ECT program focuses on dismantling human smuggling networks posing national security or public safety threats.
The case was investigated by ICE HSI Houma, with contributions from various U.S. law enforcement agencies and international partners, including U.S. Coast Guard, Louisiana State Police, and assistance from the Department of Justice.
Deputy Chief Rami Badawy from the Criminal Division's Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carter Guice from the Eastern District of Louisiana are overseeing the prosecution.
