ST. THOMAS — A federal grand jury has indicted Santos Jiminez Caraballo, a 42-year-old resident of the Dominican Republic, on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to an announcement made on August 12 by United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.

Court documents reveal that Caraballo engaged in negotiations for the sale of cocaine with an undercover federal agent between November 2021 and December 2, 2021. The negotiations culminated on December 2, 2021, when Caraballo arranged to meet the agent at an undisclosed location on St. Thomas to finalize the sale of 10 kilograms of cocaine.

However, the transaction did not go as planned. Caraballo fled the scene, first attempting to escape by car and then abandoning the vehicle to flee on foot. He left behind the 10 kilograms of cocaine in his vehicle.

If convicted of the charges, Caraballo could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly M. Riley.