Ezequiel Brito, 40, a Dominican national also known as “Jose Luis Portorreal Cruz,” was extradited to the United States after absconding from pretrial supervision and fleeing to the Dominican Republic following his 2021 arrest on drug charges. Brito faces one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute, each carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years. He made his initial appearance on July 2, 2025, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court and was detained.

Read more: Dominican National Who Absconded from New Jersey Is Extradited to Face Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking Charges