LOS ANGELES – A Philippine national pleaded guilty today to knowingly bringing nearly 200 kilograms of cocaine on an oil tanker inbound from Ecuador to El Segundo earlier this year. Ceasar Tubay Gelacio, Jr., 43, of The Philippines, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly bringing cocaine on a vessel arriving in the United States. He has been in federal custody since May 21.According to his plea agreement, in May 2026, Gelacio was an able-bodied seaman on the Aquatravesia, an oil tanker that was scheduled to arrive in El Segundo. While at port in Ecuador, Gelacio agreed with an unknown person using the moniker “Luis” to possess and conceal more than five kilograms (11 pounds) on the vessel.Gelacio concealed approximately 195 kilograms (430 pounds) of cocaine in the vessel’s garbage space and in his room aboard the vessel.On May 21, 2026, the Aquatravesia traveled near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
When it arrived in U.S. territory, Gelacio knew the cocaine remained on the vessel.On that day, law enforcement recovered approximately 195 kilograms of cocaine concealed in trash bags in the vessel’s garbage space area. According to court documents, the vessel’s crew had discovered the cocaine and alerted the ship’s captain, who later discovered Gelacio possessed the drugs. The captain then secured the cocaine and notified law enforcement.United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson scheduled an October 19 sentencing hearing, at which time Gelacio will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Coast Guard are investigating this matter.Assistant United States Attorneys Monika L.
Hara and Kyle W. Kahan of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.