The U.S. Department of Justice announced the extradition of Erick Randhiel Mosquea Polanco from Colombia to the United States to face cocaine trafficking charges in Puerto Rico and New Jersey and a money laundering charge in New Jersey. Mosquea Polanco, the alleged leader of a Dominican Republic-based international trafficking organization, made an initial appearance in Puerto Rico and is due to appear in New Jersey at a later date. The New Jersey case alleges that the organization distributed more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine from January 2020 through September 2023 and laundered millions of dollars in proceeds to the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. Investigators seized dozens of kilograms of cocaine and more than USD 6 million in alleged narcotics proceeds. Separate Puerto Rico indictments allege cocaine importation and distribution conspiracies dating from at least January 2013. Each drug trafficking count carries a prison term of 10 years to life upon conviction, while the money laundering conspiracy charge carries a maximum prison term of 20 years.
2026-08-27U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice secures extradition of alleged cocaine trafficking leader to face drug and money laundering charges
The U.S. Department of Justice secured the extradition of an alleged Dominican Republic-based cocaine trafficking leader from Colombia. He faces drug charges in Puerto Rico and New Jersey and a money laundering charge in New Jersey, where prosecutors allege his organization distributed more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine and laundered millions of dollars in proceeds.