Alleged cocaine kingpin extradited from Colombia to face New Jersey drug trafficking charges
Federal prosecutors say 45-year-old Erick Randhiel Mosquea Polanco, also known as "Ramon" and "E," was brought to the United States this week after being arrested in Colombia.
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A man accused of leading an international cocaine trafficking and money laundering organization has been extradited from Colombia to face charges in New Jersey and Puerto Rico.
Federal prosecutors say 45-year-old Erick Randhiel Mosquea Polanco, also known as "Ramon" and "E," was brought to the United States this week after being arrested in Colombia.
Authorities allege Mosquea Polanco led a Dominican Republic-based drug trafficking organization that distributed thousands of kilograms of cocaine and laundered millions of dollars in drug proceeds.
According to prosecutors, the organization moved cocaine through Colombia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico before distributing it in New Jersey, New York and other locations.
Federal officials say the New Jersey investigation uncovered more than 1,000 kilograms of cocaine distributed between 2020 and 2023.
Investigators also seized dozens of kilograms of cocaine and more than $6 million in narcotics proceeds during the case.
Mosquea Polanco faces drug trafficking and money laundering charges in New Jersey, as well as separate drug trafficking charges in Puerto Rico.
Authorities say numerous members of the organization have already been convicted.
If convicted on the most serious drug trafficking charges, Mosquea Polanco could face a sentence ranging from 10 years to life in prison.
