A scheme to expedite U.S. Visa appointments in the Dominican Republic involved a payment of 10,000 dollars in cash and a contact within the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), according to investigators.
DEA Supervisor Accused of Visa Fraud
The DEA contact was identified as Melitón Cordero, a supervisor with the agency assigned to the Dominican Republic for the past five years, according to a criminal complaint revealed Wednesday.
Prosecutors allege Cordero used his position within the U.S. Embassy to expedite visa applications, claiming the applicants were valuable sources for law enforcement, even without knowing them.
Investigators determined Cordero submitted or approved nearly 120 visa referrals during his assignment, a figure described as extraordinarily high by consular officials.
The alleged misconduct came to the attention of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents through a former Embassy employee working for a visa consulting firm.
In 2024, a local music promoter contacted the former embassy employee, providing Cordero’s email address and claiming the “connection” within the embassy could reduce visa appointment wait times to just two weeks for a 10,000 dollar fee, largely due after the consular interview.
The music promoter is described as a “known music promoter and talent agent in the Dominican Republic” who had previously worked legitimately with the former embassy employee to obtain visas for clients.
Undercover Operation Uncovers Scheme
In December, investigators launched an undercover operation involving a confidential source who submitted a visa application, and waited.
WhatsApp screenshots show the promoter forwarding a passport photo to a contact saved as “Milito Clara,” linked to a phone number investigators believe belonged to Cordero at the embassy.
Upon his return from the Christmas holidays, Cordero allegedly submitted an official visa application on behalf of another DEA agent, describing the applicant as a “valuable contact” collaborating on U.S. Narcotics investigations. Investigators state these claims were false.
Cordero then allegedly instructed the source to fabricate a story about how they met at a club and were occasionally paid 400 dollars for sharing information with the DEA.
On January 27, the undercover source, under law enforcement supervision, delivered the remaining 7,000 dollars to a supermarket parking lot in Santo Domingo.
Surveillance teams observed a black Toyota Prado pull up, and the source entered the passenger seat with a red bag containing the money. The source then exited with their passport, which now contained a newly issued U.S. Visa.
Cordero remained in the vehicle, but security camera footage from the embassy captured him leaving the complex in the same Toyota Prado shortly before the meeting. The source later identified Cordero in a lineup.
Cordero’s arrest last week in Washington D.C. Prompted the Trump administration to abruptly close the DEA office in the Caribbean nation, citing a “repugnant and shameful breach of public trust.”
The DEA has not commented on the specific allegations but stated it is cooperating with investigators. Following news of Cordero’s arrest reported by The Associated Press, DEA Administrator Terry Cole sent a message to agency personnel assuring them the closure would be temporary and would protect the agency’s reputation.
“The abuse of a public office for personal gain will not be tolerated,” Cole wrote in the message. “Conduct that calls into question our integrity undermines the trust that makes our mission possible. We will act decisively to protect that trust.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the investigation?
The investigation was initiated after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents received information from a former Embassy employee working for a visa consulting firm.
How much money was involved in the scheme?
The scheme involved a payment of 10,000 dollars in cash to expedite visa appointments.
What action did the Trump administration seize in response to the arrest?
The Trump administration abruptly closed the DEA office in the Dominican Republic, citing a “repugnant and shameful breach of public trust.”
Given the gravity of these allegations, what safeguards could be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future?
