Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANTODOMINGO1713
2007-07-17 19:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Santo Domingo
Cable title:  

DOMINICAN FUGITIVE JOSE HINOJOSA EXTRADITED TO THE

Tags:  CJAN CVIS KCRM SNAR DR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0021
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDG #1713 1981931
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171931Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8778
INFO RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY
RUCOWCV/CUSTOMS CARIBBEAN ATTACHE MIAMI FL PRIORITY
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEFHLC/HQS DHS WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001713 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR ROSHOLT, L/LEI FOR TORRES AND MUELLER
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR CRIM/OIA ORJALES AND ESTABROOK
US MARSHALS SERVICE PLEASE PASS TO JIM SCHIELD
DEA FOR OF,OFI,DO,DCO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CJAN CVIS KCRM SNAR DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN FUGITIVE JOSE HINOJOSA EXTRADITED TO THE
UNITED STATES

REF: 2006 STATE 181294

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001713

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR ROSHOLT, L/LEI FOR TORRES AND MUELLER
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR CRIM/OIA ORJALES AND ESTABROOK
US MARSHALS SERVICE PLEASE PASS TO JIM SCHIELD
DEA FOR OF,OFI,DO,DCO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CJAN CVIS KCRM SNAR DR
SUBJECT: DOMINICAN FUGITIVE JOSE HINOJOSA EXTRADITED TO THE
UNITED STATES

REF: 2006 STATE 181294


1. On July 15, 2007, U.S. Marshals returned Jose Ramon
Hinojosa Santos to the United States to stand trial in the
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York for
conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 5 or more
kilograms of cocaine (2 counts under 21 USC 841(a)(1) and
846),conspiracy to distribute 5 or more kilograms of cocaine
that originated outside the United States (21 USC 963 and
959(a)),and conspiracy to import 5 or more kilograms of
cocaine (21 USC 952(a) and 963). As detailed in indictment
number CR 06-470 (RJD),filed on July 18, 2006, Hinojosa was
head of an organization that used couriers to transport
cocaine from the Dominican Republic to the United States and
Europe.


2. This case was brought before the Dominican government on
November 3, 2006, by virtue of an Embassy diplomatic note.
Shortly afterward, on November 26, the Criminal Chamber of
the Dominican Supreme Court issued a provisional arrest
warrant based on the USG request for extradition. On
February 14, 2007, Hinojosa was apprehended by officers of
the Dominican Republic's National Directorate for Drug
Control's fugitive apprehension unit pursuant to that
warrant.


3. Hinojosa properly challenged his extradition before the
Criminal Chamber of the Dominican Supreme Court in early
April 2007, though repeated absences by defense council
delayed Hinojosa's final hearing until mid-May 2007. The
Criminal Chamber ultimately upheld his extradition in a
decision published on June 20, 2007, approximately 2 weeks
after Hinojosa staged an unsuccessful escape attempt from his
prison cell. (He had cut through two of the cell's bars,
muffling the noise with a bar of soap).


4. Hinojosa's extradition was confirmed proper by
Presidential Decree 349-07, signed July 3, 2007.


5. The return of Hinojosa marks the 14th Dominican-national
fugitive returned through or in lieu of extradition
proceedings during CY-2007 (the 23rd for FY-2007).
BULLEN