ST. THOMAS — Yefri Martinez Herrera, a 30-year-old resident of St. Thomas, has entered a guilty plea for conspiracy to possess cocaine and intent to distribute it, according to an announcement by United States Attorney Delia L. Smith.
Court records reveal that in January 2022, Martinez Herrera was involved in orchestrating a deal for 200 kilograms of cocaine with individuals who were later identified as a confidential informant and an undercover agent from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). By February 2, 2022, Martinez Herrera had committed to selling 86 kilograms of cocaine to the undercover DEA agent as part of the larger 200-kilogram transaction.
A subsequent search operation at Martinez Herrera's residence in Frenchtown led federal agents to discover 87 kilograms of cocaine along with a Glock pistol. Herrera was apprehended after agents located him concealed within a bedroom closet.
Multiple agencies have collaborated on the investigation, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigation Air Marine Operations, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, United States Postal Inspection Service, Puerto Rico Police Department, and the Virgin Islands Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Meredith Edwards is leading the prosecution efforts on this case.
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