Newark, N.J. – The Dominican Republic’s Ezequiel Brito, also known as ‘Jose Luis Portorreal Cruz,’ has been extradited to the United States on charges of leading a major heroin and fentanyl trafficking operation out of New Jersey.
Brito, 40, was indicted for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute large quantities of these deadly substances. He was first arrested in June 2021 but absconded to the Dominican Republic after being released on a $100,000 bond.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office credited the Drug Enforcement Administration New Jersey Division for the investigation that led to Brito’s extradition. The Justice Department’s International Affairs Office worked closely with Dominican authorities to ensure his return.
Brito faces life imprisonment if convicted of the charges against him, which also include a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a fine up to $10 million.
This case was part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations and protecting communities from violent crime.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons is representing the government in this case, which is being investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). Brito’s defense counsel is Michael Thomas, Esq.
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Key Facts
- State: New Jersey
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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