Dominican authorities have extradited Esteffani José Vasquez-Amarante, also known as “Ethian” or “Baby,” to the United States to face charges of drug trafficking and money laundering in the District of Puerto Rico. The announcement was made by W. Stephen Muldrow, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Vasquez-Amarante was arrested in the Dominican Republic on November 6, 2025, following a request from U.S. authorities, and arrived in Puerto Rico on January 14, 2026.
“This extradition is another important step in our fight against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. This prosecution demonstrates the commitment of the Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners, and the cooperation of the Dominican Republic, to work together to bring international drug traffickers to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Muldrow. “We will continue to maximize our multi-agency efforts to disrupt and dismantle international drug cartels that smuggle drugs into Puerto Rico and the continental United States.”
Claudia Dubravetz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s San Juan Field Office, stated: “This extradition sends a clear message: leveraging political access, financial technology, or international borders, will not shield criminals from accountability. The FBI, along-side our federal and international partners, will aggressively pursue transnational drug traffickers and money launderers who undermine the rule of law and threaten communities in the United States and abroad.”
A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on September 7, 2023. It charged Vasquez-Amarante with conspiracy to distribute cocaine internationally; distribution of cocaine; and conspiracy to commit money laundering derived from drug trafficking activities between La Romana (Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico using cryptocurrency.
According to court documents, since at least February 2022 Vasquez-Amarante conspired to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine intended for importation into the United States. Additional charges allege conspiracy to launder proceeds from these activities dating back to March 17, 2021. On several occasions during that period—March 24 and April 14 of 2021—Vasquez-Amarante or associates allegedly directed large sums (totaling millions) in cash derived from drug sales be delivered in San Juan for conversion into cryptocurrency.
The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) Region 22 coordinated Vasquez-Amarante’s transfer from the Dominican Republic to San Juan. Support came from multiple agencies including the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs; FBI Legal Attaché in Santo Domingo; as well as Dominican law enforcement partners.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Antonio L. Perez-Alonso is prosecuting this case under supervision by Chief Myriam Y. Fernández-González and Deputy Chief María L. Montañez-Concepción from the Money Laundering & Transnational Organized Crime Section.
If convicted on these charges Vasquez-Amarante faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment for drug offenses plus up to twenty years for money laundering.
This case forms part of HSTF initiatives established by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion—a whole-of-government effort involving numerous federal agencies such as FBI, ICE-HSI, CBP components (OFO/AMO/Border Patrol), DEA, ATF among others; state/local police departments across Puerto Rico; Virgin Islands Police Department; National Guard Counter Drug Program; corrections/revenue authorities; port authority; TSA; FAA—and both U.S. Attorney’s Offices for Puerto Rico/U.S.V.I., all aiming at dismantling criminal organizations affecting domestic security.
An indictment remains an allegation until proven otherwise in court—all defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes such as those alleged here—including public corruption cases—across its jurisdiction based in San Juan (official website). Led by W. Stephen Muldrow (official website), this office addresses issues like civil rights violations as well as major criminal matters like drug trafficking (official website).
