Spaniard wanted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges arrested in Punta Cana

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s Public Prosecutor’s Office and National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), with support from law enforcement agencies in the United States and Europe, arrested a 41-year-old Spanish national wanted in Spain on drug trafficking and money laundering charges.

The detainee, identified as Jonathan Yera Pozo, was arrested in Punta Cana, La Altagracia province, as part of the international “Fast Lap” operation, which targeted members of an alleged transnational criminal network.

The arrest followed an order from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic issued in response to an extradition request from Spain. Authorities in that country accuse Yera Pozo of leading a criminal organization allegedly involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

During a search of the property and vehicles linked to the suspect, authorities seized mobile phones, computers and tablets, three Ledger cryptocurrency wallets, seven high-end watches, jewelry, and a Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4Matic.

Investigators also confiscated financial and property documents, bank cards, vehicle records, loan and real estate contracts, as well as US$11,500 and RD$79,815 in cash.

The DNCD said the Fast Lap operation involved 38 simultaneous raids in several countries as authorities sought to dismantle the criminal structure and gather evidence related to alleged money laundering activities.

The operation included cooperation from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Spanish National Police, Spain’s Civil Guard Central Operational Unit (UCO), the Global Drug Information Network (GDIN), and Europol.

Yera Pozo remains in the custody of Dominican authorities while the legal proceedings for his extradition to Spain move forward.