Aguadilla, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO), assisted the U.S. Marshal Service Tuesday in the extradition from the Dominican Republic of Wilson M. Vasquez-Rodriguez, one of the 10 most wanted criminals by law enforcement in Puerto Rico.

“We always support our federal, state and local partners in bringing dangerous criminals to justice,” stated Johnny Morales, Director, Air and Marine Operations for the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

An AMO DHC-8 Marine Patrol Aircraft flew two U.S. Marshals to the San Isidro Air Base in the Dominican Republic where the agents from the Dominican Republic’s National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) handed over custody.  Mr.  Vasquez-Rodriguez was flown to the Luis Munoz Marin International Airport.

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic issued an arrest warrant against Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez in response to a request for extradition from the United States.  Agents from the DNCD and the Public Ministry arrested Mr. Vásquez Rodríguez, 37, in the town of Matancita.

On Feb. 17, 2011, a Puerto Rico court accused Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez, in absentia, for attempted murder and illegal use of a weapon on February 17, 2011, allocating a $ 750K bond.  Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez faces charges of shooting the security guard in a San Juan nightclub.

Mr. Vasquez-Rodriguez appeared today in a San Juan court for arraignment.

AMO is a federal law enforcement organization dedicated to serving and protecting the American people through advanced aeronautical and maritime capabilities.  With approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, AMO conducts its mission in the air and maritime environments at and beyond the border, and within the nation's interior.