Former U.S. Embassy worker in Dominican Republic extradited on drug trafficking charges

Santo Domingo.- A former employee of the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic has been extradited to the United States on charges of leading a transnational cocaine smuggling ring.

Federal prosecutors allege that Jairo Eliezer Arias Cáceres, 35, used his position to move cocaine concealed in Marlboro cigarette cartons and Choco Pie cookie boxes through airports in the New York area.

According to court documents, the scheme operated between April and December 2023, involving the recruitment of couriers, financing their trips, and coordination with airport staff in Santo Domingo to evade customs inspections. Arias Cáceres will face federal charges in New York.