Dominican Republic cocaine trafficking suspect extradited to U.S. to face federal charges
NEW JERSEY — The alleged leader of a Dominican Republic-based international cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization has been extradited from Colombia to the United States to face federal charges in New Jersey and Puerto Rico, according to U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Erick Randhiel Mosquea-Polanco, also known as “Ramon” and “E,” 45, is charged in a three-count superseding indictment in the District of New Jersey with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments.
Mosquea-Polanco was arrested in Colombia at the request of the United States in December 2024 and was extradited Thursday to Puerto Rico, where he also faces federal charges. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marcos E. López in Puerto Rico federal court and was detained. He is expected to make an initial appearance in the District of New Jersey at a future date.
“During the Homeland Security Task Force investigation against this leader of a Dominican based drug trafficking organization extradited from Colombia, law enforcement seized millions of dollars worth of cocaine and narcotics proceeds from his drug trafficking organization,” said Attorney General Todd Blanche. “Numerous other members of the organization have already been convicted. Under this administration, federal law enforcement has the tools to find these high-profile drug lords and dismantle their organizations anywhere in the world, because we have President Trump as a leader who unified a permanent interagency task force across all 52 U.S. states and territories.”
Federal prosecutors allege Mosquea-Polanco led an international drug trafficking organization based in the Dominican Republic that distributed more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine in New Jersey, New York and elsewhere between January 2020 and September 2023.
“The defendant is alleged to have been the leader of an international drug trafficking organization based in the Dominican Republic that distributed thousands of kilograms of cocaine in the United States and laundered millions of dollars of narcotics proceeds. After the defendant fled the Dominican Republic using false documents, we and our domestic and international law enforcement partners did not rest until he was located in Colombia and extradited to face charges in New Jersey and Puerto Rico. As this prosecution shows, my Office will continue to take the fight to drug cartels, both here and abroad,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said.
Mosquea-Polanco, identified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Regional Priority Organizational Target, is also accused of coordinating the laundering of millions of dollars in cocaine proceeds to the Dominican Republic and elsewhere.
“Mosquea Polanco ran a cocaine trafficking network that stretched across Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. Now he will answer for his alleged crimes in the United States,” said DEA Administrator Terry Cole. “This extradition underscores the reach of our partnerships and our resolve to bring drug traffickers to U.S courts, no matter where they operate.”
Authorities said investigators seized dozens of kilograms of cocaine and more than $6 million in alleged narcotics proceeds from the organization during the investigation.
“Today’s extradition represents another significant step in dismantling an international cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization that operated across borders and brought thousands of kilograms of cocaine into our communities,” said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James. “This investigation demonstrates the commitment of the men and women of DEA to pursuing drug trafficking organizations wherever they operate and holding their leaders accountable for the harm they cause. We will continue to work closely with our domestic and international law enforcement partners to disrupt the flow of dangerous drugs, seize illicit proceeds, and bring those responsible to justice.”
Numerous other members of the organization have been convicted, according to federal prosecutors, including Samuel Alectus, also known as “Capet,” 37, who was convicted at trial July 16.
The two cocaine charges each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life, along with a maximum $10 million fine. The money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.
