Colombian authorities extradite Dominican national linked to 'Operation Falcon'

Colombian authorities have extradited Erick Randhiel Mosquea Polanco, a Dominican national identified as the alleged leader of the criminal organization dismantled in the Dominican Republic's 'Operation Falcon.' The extradition to the United States was confirmed by Colombian police.

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Erick Randhiel Mosquea Polanco, the alleged leader of the criminal organization known as Red Falcon, who used multiple identities and forged documents.

Mosquea Polanco, who reportedly used multiple identities and forged documents, is accused of amassing illicit profits of nearly $166 million through money laundering and drug trafficking activities. He was apprehended in Colombia in 2024. According to Colombian authorities, he is linked to the weekly shipment of approximately 2,500 kilograms of cocaine to the United States, Europe, and Puerto Rico since 2012.

Dominican justice officials previously stated that Mosquea Polanco, operating similarly to Italian mafia clans, formed a family-based network to manage his illicit operations. The dismantling of this network began in 2021 after an extensive investigation by the Public Ministry, which analyzed the group's methods, the variety of crimes committed, and their economic reach. Authorities identified and brought 33 members of the network to justice, most of whom received pre-trial detention.

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the man allegedly accumulated illicit profits close to 166 million dollars from activities related to money laundering and drug trafficking.

In addition to Mosquea Polanco, Colombia also extradited eight other individuals to the United States and Austria. Among them is Óscar Iván Morón Ramos, accused of participating in a criminal group that contaminated commercial ships with drugs. Others were sent to the U.S. for drug trafficking-related offenses, while two were extradited to Austria for their alleged involvement in a transnational sex trafficking ring that lured women with fake job offers on social media.

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attributed with the shipment of approximately 2,500 kilograms of cocaine weekly towards the United States, Europe, and Puerto Rico since 2012.

Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella commented on the extraditions, stating that he has signed 41 orders in his first 19 days in office. "We are going to keep signing more, because the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking does not stop: we will defeat them," he declared.

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I have signed 41 extraditions in 19 days of government. We are going to keep signing more, because the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking does not stop: we will defeat them.