US and Colombian authorities seize tonnes of cocaine in separate busts
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The gist
Federal prosecutors announced three Monroe County men face charges after nearly 30 kilograms of cocaine were seized in the Rochester area.
The cases span Wisconsin, New York and Colombia, showing how far trafficking networks reach.
Background
The Rochester-area case stems from an investigation into an illegal drug trafficking operation; prosecutors say Leonardo Gaskin was seen making quick-turnaround trips toward the New York/Tri-State and Philadelphia areas, believed to be cocaine source locations. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo said Rodney Stanley, Gaskin and Shanimba Nelson were responsible for storing, packaging and distributing cocaine and collecting payment in the Rochester area. The same week, federal officials in Wisconsin announced a separate case involving 840 kilograms of cocaine seized from a U.S.-flagged vessel near Quepos, Costa Rica, and Colombian authorities reported a record port seizure in Cartagena.
How it unfolded
- Oct 1, 2026Seven search warrants were executed around 8:40 a.m. in the greater Holyoke area, Massachusetts; investigators seized about 8,250 bags of fentanyl, 121 grams of cocaine and roughly $18,474, and arrested two Holyoke men.
- Oct 8, 2026Leonardo Gaskin's vehicle was seen traveling to the Philadelphia area, staying about 15 minutes and returning overnight to his home.
- Oct 9, 2026Search warrants at Gaskin's home and vehicle, two Rochester stash houses and the homes of Nelson and Stanley turned up about 23 kilograms of suspected cocaine at Gaskin's, plus more cocaine, cash, firearms and drug paraphernalia at the other sites.
- Oct 20, 2026Federal prosecutors announced charges against three Monroe County men after seizing nearly 30 kilograms of cocaine, about $159,000 in cash and four guns; separately, Colombia reported close to 8 tonnes of cocaine seized at the Port of Cartagena.
- Oct 20, 2026Prosecutors in Wisconsin's Eastern District announced nearly $17 million worth of cocaine seized; three Mexican nationals extradited from Costa Rica were arraigned before U.S. District Judge Nancy Joseph and held in pre-trial detention.
- Oct 21, 2026A multi-county Triad bust in North Carolina led to 100 arrests and 150 guns seized.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said the amount of fentanyl seized in the Holyoke operation underscores the scale of the trafficking activity law enforcement is working to disrupt.
- Official
- Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella called the Cartagena seizure 'the biggest blow recorded in the last 10 years,' saying more than 42 billion pesos and more than 19 million doses were kept off the streets.
- Official
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel said the Wisconsin cocaine has a street value of $20,000 per kilogram, roughly $16.8 million total, and called such a quantity 'very rare' in a case.
Still unverified
The Rochester release says the New York/Tri-State and Philadelphia areas are 'believed to be source locations' for the organization's cocaine.