Two facing up to life in prison over cocaine charges

TAMPA, Fla. — Two people have been charged with cocaine offenses after allegedly possessing and conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of the drug, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO).

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg said an indictment has been unsealed charging Santiago Gonzalez-Rodriguez, 58, of Louisville, Kentucky, and Elier Sanchez-Suasteque, 37, of Lehigh Acres, with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and possession with the intent to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine.

If convicted on all counts, each faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison, said the USAO.

The indictment also notifies the individuals that the United States intends to forfeit any assets that are found to be traceable to the proceeds of the alleged offense.

According to the indictment, between September 23 and October 2, 2023, Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Sanchez-Suasteque conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. On October 2, 2023, they knowingly possessed over five kilograms of cocaine in Tampa, prosecutors said.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Highway Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Tampa Police Department investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Guzman and Brooke Padgett will prosecute it.