A US embassy staffer in the Dominican Republic has been indicted for allegedly smuggling cocaine into New York City by hiding the drugs in duty-free items, including Johnny Walker bottles, Marlboro cigarette cartons, and Choco Pie snack boxes. Jairo Eliezer Arias Caceres, 35, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to New York, where he faces charges of conspiring to import cocaine into the US.
According to prosecutors, Arias Caceres, who worked as a security officer at the US embassy in Santo Domingo, enlisted couriers to sneak the cocaine into New York airports by hiding it in various tax-free items purchased at the Santo Domingo Airport. Photos showed the illicit powder tightly wrapped into blocks and stuffed into three Johnny Walker Gold Reserve bottle boxes, four Marlboro Red 100-pack cigarette cartons, and four large chocolate treat containers.
US Attorney Jay Clayton condemned Arias Caceres’ actions, saying that the abuse of a position of national trust to traffic in deadly narcotics shocks the sensibilities of New Yorkers. “While Arias Caceres was supposed to be protecting our diplomats and embassy staff from danger, he was allegedly busy endangering New Yorkers by pumping illegal drugs into our community,” Clayton said. Arias Caceres faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life behind bars if convicted.
The investigation revealed that Arias Caceres collaborated with former coworkers who supplied the bricks of cocaine to runners before their flights, which he also arranged and financed. Prosecutors said that the accused trafficker had a network of associates who helped him smuggle the drugs into the US. Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy said that the investigation successfully dismantled a sophisticated trafficking network responsible for moving dangerous narcotics from the Dominican Republic into the United States.
The US Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations are committed to bringing those who abuse their positions of trust to justice. “HSI remains committed to protecting the American public by targeting and disrupting the transnational criminal organizations that seek to bring illicit drugs into our communities,” McCarthy said. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating international crime.
