National Drug Control Agency chief Rolando Rosado Mateo says Yubel Enrique Mendez was arrested this week while driving a luxury vehicle on the outskirts of the Dominican capital.

Rosado Mateo says Mendez was the "strong arm" in that country for a gang allegedly headed by Puerto Rican capo Jose David Figueroa Agosto.

The organization is suspected of smuggling 8.5 tons of cocaine into the U.S. between 1994 and 2008.

Source: Wall Street Journal

According to article in DominicanToday.com, DNCD Spokesman Ramon Alcides Rodriguez said Yubel Enrique Méndez (Oreganito), whose assets are worth more than RD$5.0 billion (US$135 million), “are the result of his activity, whose properties are located in the towns Bayaguana, Monte Plata province, the city of Azua, the National District and Santo Domingo East.”

Update 2 - The U.S. seeks Dominican fugitive’s US$135M in properties seized

The United States Embassy requested the confiscation of all properties of the alleged drug lord Yuber Méndez (Oreganito), who awaits extradition to that country, charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics. The Justice Ministry said Tuesday that the alleged drug trafficker’s properties are worth more than RD$5.0 billion (US$135 million).

The request for Méndez’s extradition and confiscation of his assets was submitted December 15, via the Foreign Relations Ministry.

Méndez faces proceedings in the New York U.S. District Court, after his indictment by a federal grand jury in June 15, 2006.

According to the U.S. extradition request, an informer implicated “Oreganito” in the distribution of around 1,000 kilos of cocaine from 2002 to 2005.

Other agents arrest Dominican wanted by the U.S. on terrorism

DominicanToday.com - The National Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) revealed Tuesday the arrest of a Dominican wanted by the United States in extradition, charged with the attempted murder of two women.

The DNCD said Nelson Daniel Frias Genao (AKA Daniel Sequinot), 43, was taken into custody during a search of a house in the village La Amargura, of the town Castillo, in northeastern Duarte province.

The detainee is wanted by the New Jersey Superior Court, charged with attempted murder in first degree of Ana Rosario and Librada Cruz, arson and for terrorist threats.

The DNCD said it acted on an arrest warrant of the Supreme Court issued June 29, and took the fugitive to a special cell to await extradition.