Colombian National Admits Conspiracy to Import 15 Kilograms of Cocaine

NEWARK, N.J. - A Colombian citizen admitted conspiring to import 15 kilograms of cocaine into the United States from Columbia, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Savier Cervantes, 37, of Cartagena, Colombia, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Evelyn Padin in Newark federal court on Sept. 30, 2024, to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to import cocaine.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

In December 2021, Cervantes facilitated the transfer of five kilograms cocaine from a source of supply in Colombia to a U.S. citizen, Antonio Diaz, and helped to arrange for the transportation of that cocaine from Cartagena to New Jersey. Diaz previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

In June and July 2022, Cervantes introduced a U.S. citizen, Bashimi Briscoe, to two individuals in Columbia who, between them, sold Briscoe 10 kilograms of cocaine, and arranged a meeting with a third individual who offered to transport that cocaine to the United States. Briscoe previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States.

The count to which Cervantes pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million dollars. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2025.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, in New York, and special agents of the DEA operating in Colombia, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Webman of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.