Dominican Republic Suspect Extradited to Puerto Rico in $2.4 Million Crypto Money Laundering Case
U.S. authorities say a Dominican Republic citizen has been extradited to Puerto Rico to face drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges tied to the alleged conversion of about $2.4 million in drug proceeds into cryptocurrency.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico announced on September 3, 2026 that Fidel Antonio Knight-Cerda had been extradited from the Dominican Republic to San Juan on September 2. He had been arrested in the Dominican Republic on July 8, 2026.
Indictment alleges cryptocurrency laundering of drug proceeds
A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment on September 7, 2023 charging Knight-Cerda with international conspiracy to distribute cocaine, international distribution of cocaine, and conspiracy to commit money laundering derived from drug trafficking.
According to the indictment, Knight-Cerda allegedly facilitated drug-trafficking and money-laundering activity between La Romana in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico through cryptocurrency. Prosecutors allege that the drug-trafficking conspiracy involved five kilograms or more of cocaine intended for importation into the United States and that the money-laundering conspiracy dates back to at least March 17, 2021.
The indictment specifically alleges that on or about March 17, 2021, Knight-Cerda and another co-conspirator directed the delivery of approximately $400,000 in U.S. currency, described by prosecutors as drug proceeds, to an individual in San Juan who converted the funds into cryptocurrency. It further alleges that on or about March 24, 2021 they directed the delivery of approximately $2 million in additional drug proceeds to an individual in San Juan for conversion into cryptocurrency.
Extradition follows multi-agency investigation
The Justice Department said the September 2 extradition followed an initiative by Homeland Security Task Force Region 22, covering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Department’s Office of International Affairs and the FBI Legal Attaché in Santo Domingo assisted in securing the arrest and extradition, while the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service also participated in the investigation and arrest.
If convicted, Knight-Cerda faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life imprisonment on the drug-trafficking charges, and up to 20 years on the money-laundering charge.
The charges remain allegations. Knight-Cerda is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case illustrates how alleged drug-trafficking proceeds can be moved from physical cash into cryptocurrency as part of cross-border laundering arrangements, reinforcing the importance of tracing value across cash and virtual-asset channels rather than treating them as separate financial-crime risks.
