Dominican Republic authorities extradited Pedro J. Espinal-Arthur and Luis Febles-Peralta to Puerto Rico to face drug trafficking and money laundering charges, United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announced on Mar. 17.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal law enforcement to address international drug trafficking and related financial crimes in the District of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico supports public safety by handling federal crimes including civil rights violations, according to the official website.
Espinal-Arthur was arrested in the Dominican Republic on January 13, 2026, and extradited to Puerto Rico on March 11, 2026. Court documents allege that from April 2021 to January 2022, Espinal-Arthur conspired with others to conduct financial transactions involving cash proceeds from drugs, converting them into cryptocurrency in an attempt to conceal their origin and control.
A separate indictment charges Febles-Peralta and his brother Germán E. Arredondo-Peralta with money laundering conspiracy. Febles-Peralta was also arrested in the Dominican Republic on January 13, 2026, and extradited alongside Espinal-Arthur. From January to July 2022, both are alleged to have participated in similar schemes involving cash delivery of drug proceeds and conversion into cryptocurrency. They face a forfeiture allegation totaling $2,741,560.
Febles-Peralta is further charged with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States as well as attempted importation and distribution for unlawful importation purposes. If convicted of narcotics offenses, defendants face a mandatory minimum term of ten years up to life imprisonment; money laundering convictions could result in up to twenty years in prison. Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The FBI leads the investigation while Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Anderson is prosecuting both cases. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs assisted with securing arrests and extraditions.
Muldrow held the position of United States Attorney for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, according to the official website. The office enforces federal laws through criminal prosecutions and civil litigation across all of Puerto Rico as reported by its official website.
"An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," said Muldrow.
