DNCD and the Spanish Civil Guard capture a suspected drug kingpin in Punta Cana

Following the mechanisms that facilitate international legal cooperation against transnational organized crime, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) arrested, with the support of agencies from Europe and the United States, a Spaniard wanted in his country for drug trafficking and money laundering.

The arrest of Jonathan Yera Pozo followed an extradition request as part of the joint operation called “Fast Lap,” aimed at capturing several members of the network and recovering evidence related to money laundering.

The operation involved agents from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA), the Spanish Police, the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Judicial Police Service of the Civil Guard of Spain, the Global Drug Information Network (GDIN), and the European Union Agency for Police Cooperation (Europol).

The acting units, under the coordination of the Directorate of International Legal Cooperation of the Public Ministry and the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism of the Attorney General’s Office, carried out extensive monitoring and operational intelligence work to achieve the capture of Yera Pozo, 41 years old.

The arrest of the foreigner is part of the international operation called Fast Lap, which resulted in 38 simultaneous raids in several countries to dismantle this criminal structure dedicated to transnational crime.

Her capture occurred during a raid in the Punta Cana municipal district, in the province of La Altagracia, in response to a request from the Supreme Court of Justice ordering her arrest for extradition to the Kingdom of Spain, where she is accused of leading a criminal organization linked to serious crimes against public health (drug trafficking) and money laundering.

Occupation of articles

During the search of the property and the inspected vehicles, the operational units seized cell phones, MacBook Air, tablets (iPad, Samsung, SPC), and three Ledger brand cold wallets for cryptocurrencies, seven high-end watches from recognized brands such as Rolex, Hublot, Richard Mille, and Apple Watch, in addition to various pieces and sets of jewelry.

Also, a Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 4Matic vehicle; vehicle registration and ownership certificates; loan and real estate contracts; national and international bank cards; and documents totaling USD$11,500.00 and RD$$79,815.00.

The joint operation reaffirms the Dominican Republic authorities’ unwavering commitment to the frontal fight against transnational organized crime and to strengthening international legal cooperation mechanisms.

The security forces are holding the detainee under control for legal procedures aimed at his extradition to the Kingdom of Spain.