Dominican Republic drugs case tests extraditions to US

Santo Domingo.- Thearrest of Jesus Pascual Cordero Martinez (El Chino), purportedly a major drugtrafficker, gives local authorities the chance to prosecute him here and avert extradition to the US where hecould plea bargain for a minimum sentence and keep any ill-gotten gains.

Among the recent major casesto argue against Cordero´s extradition figure José Arismendy Almonte (Joselito.com),Quirino Paulino and Bienvenido Guevara Diaz (Maconi), who on plea bargaining withUS authorities obtained light sentences and are already on Dominican soilenjoying their fortunes derived from underworld activities.

The ex-convicts served timefor trafficking hundreds of kilos of cocaine, and laundering money, the samecharges "El Chino" faces.

The Supreme Court wouldhave to approve Cordero´s eventual extradition to the US, following theprocedures established for the penal code.

Cordero meanwhiledenied the charges that include contract killings while being interrogated bythe Anti-money Laundering Dept. on Tuesday.