A jury in Fort Lauderdale convicted Bahamian national Terrance Wallace on May 5 for his involvement in a smuggling operation that transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and unauthorized migrants from the Bahamas to South Florida.
The conviction highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address transnational criminal organizations operating in the region. The case involved multiple agencies working together to stop the movement of drugs and people into the United States.
Wallace, 32, was found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine, importing cocaine, and alien smuggling offenses after a jury trial. "This defendant helped operate a transnational smuggling pipeline that brought both cocaine and unlawful migrants into South Florida by boat," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "That combination of narcotics trafficking and human smuggling poses a direct threat to public safety and the integrity of our borders. The jury’s verdict makes clear that those who work with criminal smuggling organizations to move drugs and people into this country will be prosecuted and held accountable." Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations Miami said, "Combatting transnational criminal organizations involved in narcotics and alien smuggling is a significant priority for HSI and the Homeland Security Task Force... This verdict sends a clear message: HSI will continue to pursue and hold traffickers accountable for endangering lives and threatening public safety."
Five co-defendants previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy; they are scheduled for sentencing on June 8. According to court records presented at trial, authorities detected three go-fast vessels traveling from the Bahamas toward South Florida on August 30, 2025. Officers intercepted one vessel after firing warning shots when commands were ignored; they discovered approximately 168 kilograms of cocaine along with 31 Chinese nationals not authorized to enter the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents observed Wallace conducting counter-surveillance near Fort Pierce Inlet during these operations. Evidence showed Wallace participated in two prior successful drug runs at this location, totaling over 500 kilograms of cocaine moved as part of these ventures.
Wallace faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment; sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on guidelines.
The prosecution is part of an initiative under Executive Order 14159 focused on eliminating cartels, gangs, transnational criminal groups, human trafficking rings—especially those involving children—and removing violent offenders from within U.S borders through coordinated interagency collaboration led by Homeland Security Task Force Miami.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida prosecutes federal crimes and manages civil cases for the government across about 15,197 square miles serving more than seven million residents through several regional offices including Fort Lauderdale according to the official website.
