Santo Domingo. – Meliton Corderosupervisor of the Dominican Republic office of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), was suspended and arrested in Washington DCwithin the framework of a federal investigation for alleged bribery and visa fraud in the United States.
Cordero, of Dominican origin, had been recognized in September 2024 by the president Luis Abinader who decorated by decree with the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella in it Knight Rank, highlighting that he was the first Dominican to occupy that high position within the US anti-drug agency.
The distinction was awarded in recognition of his contributions to the fight drug trafficking and strengthening cooperation between Dominican and US agencies.
However, media locals pointed out that, although the decree was officially issued, there are no public records of a formal act of delivery.
federal investigation
According to the Department of United States Justice Cordero faces accusations for allegedly accept dollar miles in exchange for providing nonimmigrant visas to foreign citizens during their six years of service in the United States Embassy in Santo Domingo.
The American authorities They allege that there would be processed at least 119 visa applicationsincluding cases considered fraudulent. He is also credited with delivering passports and visas in exchange for irregular payments.
If found guilty, could face federal conspiracy charges to commit bribery and immigration fraud, with a maximum combined sentence of up to 15 years in prisonaccording to US law.
Official reaction
The federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro and DEA administrator Terrance Cole, they described the alleged actions as serious and incompatible with the standards of the institution.
“The alleged actions do not reflect the thousands of DEA professionals who serve honorably dismantling transnational criminal organizations,” Cole said in a statement.
After the arrest, the United States ambassador in the country, Leah Francis Campos, ordered the temporary closure of the DEA offices in the Dominican Republic and established a process of internal review, relocation and reorganization of personnel while investigations continue.
The case has generated wide impact both in Dominican and American media, given the profile of the official and the official recognition received months before his arrest.
