SANTO DOMINGO.– Dominican authorities arrested for extradition purposes a Dominican citizen accused by the DEA of managing from the Dominican Republic with Mexican cartels the supply of fentanyl to a network that distributed it in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Anti-narcotics sources confirmed to EL DÍA that the detainee was identified as Ángel de la Rosa Pacheco, a Dominican who had been repatriated from the United States and who, after his return to the country, maintained links with criminal organizations in Mexico, from where he coordinated the shipment of fentanyl to a gang based in the United States, made up mostly of people of Dominican origin.
According to the information obtained, De la Rosa Pacheco would have voluntarily signed his extradition, pending the issuance of the corresponding decree to proceed with his transfer to the United States, where he will face federal charges.
The arrest occurs within the framework of an extensive investigation in the United States led by the DEA, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Haven Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which allowed the arrest of six people accused of being part of a drug trafficking and firearms trafficking network that operated in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey, allegedly directed by the accused from Dominican territory.
The announcement was made by the federal prosecutor of the District of Connecticut, David X. Sullivan, who reported that the detainees are Manolin Vargas D’Olón, alias “Robelin”, 30 years old; Giovanni Benoit, 41; Álvaro Pérez, 40; Anderson Amador Nova, 35; Ángel Vásquez, alias “Bebo”, 36; and Andy Martínez, 46 years old.
According to court documents, the organization distributed narcotics and firearms through multiple redistributors in several cities in the northeastern United States.
During the investigation, authorities made more than 30 controlled purchases, which allowed the seizure of more than one kilogram of fentanyl, more than 200 grams of methamphetamine and at least 17 firearms.
Laboratory analysis of the seized fentanyl revealed that some of the substance was mixed with bromazolam, a relatively new synthetic benzodiazepine, detected with increasing frequency in drug combinations associated with fatal overdoses.
The authorities also maintain that the Dominican citizen identified as the leader of the network claimed to have the ability to order acts of violence against people in the United States.
Federal indictment and possible sentences
A federal grand jury in New Haven issued a 15-count indictment against the six defendants on December 9, 2025, which was made public this week. The charges include conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, as well as multiple crimes related to illegal firearms trafficking.
If found guilty, Vargas D’Olón would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison. Benoit, Pérez and Amador Nova could receive minimum sentences of five years and maximum sentences of up to 40 years in prison, while Vásquez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. Arms trafficking charges carry additional penalties of up to 15 years in prison for each charge.
Vargas D’Olón, Benoit, Vásquez and Martínez are accused of conspiracy to traffic weapons. Vargas D’Olón also faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm as a foreigner with an irregular immigration status; Vasquez for possession of a weapon as a convicted felon; and Vargas D’Olón, Benoit and Vásquez for illegal transfer of weapons.
Additional charges for child pornography
The court file details that in May 2025 Vargas D’Olón was arrested on state charges related to narcotics. Analysis of a seized cell phone later revealed video and image files containing child pornography, stored in cache folders of the encrypted messaging app Telegram.
Because of this, a grand jury returned a separate indictment against Vargas D’Olón for possession of child pornography, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
