Frank Nez 
New York, NY – August 7, 2025 – A former U.S. Embassy employee in the Dominican Republic faces serious charges in the United States following his extradition for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated cocaine smuggling operation targeting New York airports.
Jairo Eliezer Arias Caceres, 35, of Santo Domingo, was indicted on one count of conspiracy to import cocaine, a crime that carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a potential maximum of life imprisonment.
Arias Caceres, who served as a security officer at the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo from 2018 until early 2025, allegedly exploited his position to facilitate a transnational drug trafficking network.
Prior to his embassy role, he worked for seven years as a security officer at the Santo Domingo airport, a position prosecutors say he leveraged to coordinate the smuggling of cocaine into the United States.
The operation, active between April and December 2023, involved disguising cocaine shipments within duty-free store packaging, such as Johnny Walker whiskey boxes, Marlboro cigarette cartons, and chocolate treat containers, to evade detection.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Arias Caceres played a central role in the scheme, recruiting couriers, arranging their travel, and managing logistics for the receipt and transport of cocaine.
He allegedly served as the primary point of contact for couriers, ensuring the drugs were seamlessly moved from the Dominican Republic to New York-area airports.
The investigation, led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Newark in collaboration with multiple federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), uncovered the intricate network responsible for trafficking dangerous narcotics into U.S. communities.
“This investigation successfully dismantled a sophisticated trafficking network,” said HSI Newark Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy.
“The charges against Arias Caceres highlight our commitment to disrupting transnational criminal organizations that exploit trusted positions to flood our communities with illicit drugs.”
Arias Caceres made his initial court appearance on August 6, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Robert W. Lehrburger in Manhattan federal court.
The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods. The indictment emphasizes that the potential sentences are prescribed by Congress, with final sentencing to be determined by the judge.
The operation’s exposure underscores ongoing concerns about vulnerabilities in airport security and the exploitation of trusted roles in drug trafficking.
Federal authorities have not indicated whether this case is linked to other recent smuggling incidents involving airline employees, such as the 2024 arrests of four flight attendants accused of smuggling drug money to the Dominican Republic.
The collaborative efforts of HSI, DEA, CBP, and the U.S. Marshals Service, along with assistance from Dominican authorities, were critical in bringing Arias Caceres to justice.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in combating international drug trafficking networks that exploit insider access to bypass security measures.
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FrankNez Media