A Dominican national has been extradited to the United States to face charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba. Ezequiel Brito, also known as “Jose Luis Portorreal Cruz,” is charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute these substances.
Brito appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court on July 2, 2025, where he was detained. The indictment alleges that on June 17, 2021, Brito conspired to distribute heroin and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Initially arrested on the same date in 2021, Brito was released on a $100,000 unsecured appearance bond but later fled pre-trial supervision in September 2022 by absconding to the Dominican Republic.
The charges carry severe penalties including life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million. Special agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division were credited for their role in the investigation under Special Agent Cheryl Ortiz’s direction.
This case falls under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which targets high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a multi-agency approach. The investigation is also part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative aiming at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly M. Lyons represents the government in this case from the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.
The allegations against Brito are accusations at this stage; he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
