Spanish
Santo Domingo.- The United States Department of Justice reported that Esteffani José Vásquez Amarante, known as “Ethian”, was extradited this Friday to appear before a federal court in Puerto Rico, where he faces charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.
The delivery took place 49 days after Vásquez Amarante voluntarily accepted his extradition. During that period, he remained in custody while the Dominican authorities completed the legal process, which concluded on January 14th.You may be interested in: Dominican extradited, accused of heroin trafficking in the US
"Ethian" was arrested on November 6, 2025, by the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), in response to an extradition request based on a formal indictment filed in the District of Puerto Rico. According to U.S. prosecutors, the defendant had conspired to traffic drugs to the United States. If found guilty, Vásquez Amarante could face a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment for drug trafficking charges, in addition to a sentence of up to 20 years for money laundering. However, the Dominican Government established that he cannot be sentenced to the death penalty, in accordance with the provisions of Article 37 of the Constitution, which protects the right to life. The federal prosecutor for the District of Puerto Rico, Stephen Muldrow, described the extradition as “another important step” in the fight against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, highlighting the cooperation between the United States and the Dominican Republic. He also assured that they will continue to reinforce inter-institutional efforts to dismantle the international cartels that traffic drugs to Puerto Rico and the continental United States. For her part, the interim special agent in charge of the FBI in San Juan, Claudia Dubravetz, warned that no criminal will escape justice using political influence, financial technology, or international borders. She reiterated that federal agencies will continue to pursue those who attack the rule of law and the security of communities. According to the indictment issued by a federal grand jury on September 7, 2023, Vásquez Amarante allegedly conspired to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, knowing that the drug would be brought into the United States. Authorities indicate that the drug trafficking plan developed from 2022, while the money laundering operations date back to at least March 2021. Vásquez Amarante, at the time of his arrest, was married to congresswoman Jacqueline Fernández, of the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party. The reaction of the legislator from the province of La Romana consisted of distancing herself from the accusations issued by the United States against her ex-partner, clarifying that they were separated and had taken "different paths". Vásquez is the son of José María Vásquez Montero, judge of the Superior Land Tribunal of El Seibo, who, after being interviewed on November 20th by the National Council of the Magistracy (CNM), took the opportunity to answer questions from journalists.“We trust in American justice and he has to prove the innocence he claims. And if he is found guilty, may the full weight of the law fall upon him,” he said upon leaving the meeting with the CNM board, headed by President Abinader.
