United States v. Martinez

Alejandro Martinez and Paulo Rosario were traveling on a small vessel in the strait between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico when a United States Coast Guard (“USCG”) patrol plane spotted them jettisoning into the sea what was later determined to be bales of cocaine. Shortly thereafter, Martinez and Rosario were apprehended and brought to Puerto Rico, where they stood trial together on drug conspiracy charges. Both men now appeal from their convictions. After careful review, we AFFIRM.

I. Facts and Background

A The Ill-Fated Voyage

In the early evening hours of August 16, 2012, a USCG…