A federal jury in Fort Lauderdale has convicted a Bahamian national for his role in a large-scale maritime smuggling operation that transported hundreds of kilograms of cocaine and dozens of unauthorized migrants from the Bahamas into South Florida.
Terrance Wallace, 32, was found guilty on May 5 of conspiracy to import cocaine, importing cocaine, and alien smuggling offenses following a jury trial in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Prosecutors said Wallace was part of a coordinated, multi-vessel trafficking network that used fast boats to move drugs and people through the region. Authorities described the operation as a transnational pipeline that combined narcotics trafficking with human smuggling routes, posing what officials called a direct threat to border security and public safety.
According to evidence presented at trial, on August 30, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted three go-fast vessels traveling from the Bahamas toward South Florida. Once the boats entered U.S. waters, multiple agencies—including CBP, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Coast Guard units—moved to stop them. One vessel failed to comply with repeated commands, leading officers to fire warning shots before disabling it.
When boarding the vessels, law enforcement discovered approximately 168 kilograms of cocaine and 31 Chinese nationals who were not authorized to enter the United States. Five co-defendants, including Malik Delancy, Fiero Cooper, Darren Sears, Ivan Curry, and Jeremiah Russell, previously pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Investigators also linked Wallace to at least two earlier successful smuggling runs involving more than 500 kilograms of cocaine in total. Prosecutors said cellphone evidence, including messages and videos, showed him acting as a lookout and conducting counter-surveillance during the operations.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the case included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Coast Guard, and local partners in Florida.
Wallace faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could receive life behind bars when sentenced. A federal judge will determine the final penalty after reviewing sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
