A Dominican Republic national has been ordered detained pending trial after his arrest on federal drug and immigration charges, acting U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper announced Friday.
Carlos Alexis Olivares-Taveras, 34, was taken into custody Monday, after Homeland Security Investigations and partner agencies stopped the vehicle he was driving during an immigration enforcement operation on St. Thomas. Agents said they observed a white powdery substance in the driver’s side door panel. A search of the vehicle turned up 11 baggies of cocaine and about $4,000 in cash, the Justice Department said.
According to court documents, Olivares-Taveras admitted during questioning that both the cocaine and the money belonged to him. He also admitted that he entered the United States unlawfully by boat from Tortola to St. John in February 2025 without presenting himself at a lawful port of entry.
Olivares-Taveras has been charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and with illegal entry into the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a)(1). If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on the drug charge.
