The coordinating judge for the courts of Instruction in Santo Domingo, Rosalba Garib Holguin, has issued a warrant for the arrest of retired Colonel Pedro Julio “Pepe” Goico Guerrero, authorizing the District Attorney for the National District to execute the warrant for alleged violation of Law 72-02 that regulates the laundering of funds proceeding from the illegal commerce of drugs and other controlled substances.
According to District Attorney Jose Manuel Hernandez Peguero, Goico Guerrero is linked to the case against Quirino Paulino Castillo, who is currently awaiting trial in the United States for drug trafficking. Among the judge’s conclusions on reaching her verdict are the ties between the former Army Colonel Quirino Paulino Castillo and Jose Ramon Lopez Reyes in the transactions surrounding the purchase of the Colibri helicopter. The judge further states that investigations have established that Goico Guerrero was involved “in the use and distribution of money proceeding from Quirino Paulino Castillo.”
In statements made to television reporter Alicia Ortega, Goico Guerrero denied even knowing Quirino Paulino Castillo or ever paying US$600,000 to vendor Joaquin Ruiz for the helicopter. Pepe Goico, who had been jailed for fraud in the National Lottery prior to former President Hipolito Mejia signing him on as his security chief, made a name for himself with the use of the so-called “Pepe Card,” the credit card issued by Baninter supposedly for the needs abroad of then President Mejia. In a recent TV interview, Goico said he lamented not having buying the Caribbean Sea with the card.