Government orders extradition to the U.S. of Dominican accused of murder and drug trafficking

Santo Domingo — The Dominican government on Wednesday ordered, through decree 740-26, the extradition to the United States of citizen Felicito Celestino Mercedes, wanted by that country’s justice system on two counts of intentional murder allegedly committed in the context of a criminal association linked to drug trafficking, the Presidency’s Press Office reported.

According to the document, Mercedes faces two counts of intentional murder, as well as instigating, ordering, inducing, facilitating and provoking a murder within the framework of a criminal association related to drug trafficking.

The indictment also links him to an association aimed at distributing and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute it, in addition to his alleged participation as an accomplice in those acts.

The decree establishes that the extradition will take place on the condition that the requesting authorities comply with the guarantee set forth in Article 6 of the Extradition Treaty between the Dominican Republic and the United States of America, approved through resolution 507-16, of June 10, 2016.

With the measure, the Executive Branch formalizes the citizen’s handover to U.S. authorities so he can answer for the charges set out in the indictment.

Photo: El Sol de Santiago

Source: El Sol de Santiago