William Matute-Rankin head of a major cocaine-transportation ring organized boat crews, refueling operations and provided logistical support

William Matute-Rankin was extradited to the United States from Panama in September to face the drug charges. He was found guilty in January.
According to court documents, Matute-Rankin was described as the head of a major cocaine-transportation ring operating out of Honduras. Thousands of kilograms of cocaine were smuggled through the organization, attorney's office spokesman Steve Cole said in a news release.
Matute-Rankin organized boat crews, refueling operations and provided logistical support, Cole said. During the investigation, the U.S. Coast Guard was involved in two seizures that totaled more than 6,000 kilograms of cocaine, the news release said.