DEA Supervisor Arrested in Dominican Republic Visa Fraud Probe

US shutters anti-narcotics office in the Caribbean nation amid investigation

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A supervisor at the US Drug Enforcement Administration's office in the Dominican Republic has been arrested as part of an investigation into abuse of a US visa program for confidential informants. The arrest comes as the Trump administration 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 Dominican Republic is a major transit zone for narcotics leaving South America, and law enforcement authorities in the country have long worked closely with their US counterparts. The closure of the DEA office and the arrest of a supervisor raise concerns about potential corruption within the US anti-drug efforts in the region.

The details

Melitón Cordero, a supervisor at the US Drug Enforcement Administration's office in the Dominican Republic, was arrested as part of an investigation led by the US Department of Homeland Security. The investigation is focused on the abuse of a US visa program that allows federal law enforcement agencies to sponsor the entry of foreign nationals who might otherwise be considered inadmissible due to their association with criminal activity. A 2019 report found that law enforcement had lost track of as many as 1,000 sponsored individuals, posing risks to public safety or national security.

  • On February 15, 2026, Melitón Cordero was arrested as part of the investigation.
  • On the same day, US Ambassador Leah F. Campos announced the closure of the DEA's office in the Dominican Republic until further notice.

The players

Melitón Cordero

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

Leah F. Campos

The US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic who announced the closure of the DEA's office in the country until further notice.

Roberto Álvarez

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

Luis Abinader

The President of the Dominican Republic who in late 2025 announced that he was authorizing the US government to operate inside restricted areas at San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport to help in its fight against drug trafficking.

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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, US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic (X)

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

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

What’s next

The judge overseeing the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Melitón Cordero to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in the US-Dominican Republic anti-drug cooperation, with concerns about potential corruption within the DEA's operations in the country. It raises questions about the oversight and management of sensitive visa programs used to support law enforcement efforts.