DEA Supervisor Arrested in Dominican Republic Visa Fraud Probe

US shutters anti-narcotics office in Caribbean nation amid investigation

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A supervisor at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's office in the Dominican Republic has been arrested as part of an investigation into abuse of a U.S. visa program for confidential informants. The arrest comes as the U.S. has abruptly shuttered the anti-narcotics office in the Caribbean nation over what it said was a 'disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust.'

Why it matters

The DEA, FBI and other federal agencies sponsor the entry of foreign nationals into the U.S. who might otherwise be considered inadmissible due to criminal activity, in exchange for their assistance as informants. However, a 2019 report found that law enforcement had lost track of as many as 1,000 such sponsored individuals, posing risks to public safety and national security. This case highlights ongoing concerns about oversight and integrity of the visa program.

The details

Melitón Cordero, a DEA supervisor in the Dominican Republic, was taken into custody as part of an investigation led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The closure of the DEA's office in the Dominican Republic was described by the U.S. ambassador as a 'disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust' to use one's official capacity for personal gain.

  • On February 13, 2026, the DEA supervisor was arrested as part of the visa fraud probe.
  • On February 12, 2026, the U.S. abruptly shuttered its anti-narcotics office in the Dominican Republic.

The players

Melitón Cordero

A supervisor at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's office in the Dominican Republic who was arrested as part of an investigation into abuse of a U.S. visa program for confidential informants.

Leah F. Campos

The U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic who announced the closure of the DEA's office in the country over a 'disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust.'

Roberto Álvarez

The Dominican Foreign Affairs Minister who stated the closure of the DEA office had nothing to do with the Dominican government but was part of an internal U.S. investigation.

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What they’re saying

“It is a disgusting and disgraceful violation of public trust to use one's official capacity for personal gain.”

— Leah F. Campos, U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic (X)

“The closure had nothing to do with the Dominican government but was part of an internal U.S. investigation.”

— Roberto Álvarez, Dominican Foreign Affairs Minister (N/A)

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is leading the ongoing investigation into the alleged visa fraud involving the DEA supervisor in the Dominican Republic.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing concerns about oversight and integrity of the U.S. visa program for confidential informants, which has previously been found to have lax controls that allowed law enforcement to lose track of sponsored individuals with potential criminal ties, posing risks to public safety and national security.