SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) – A former Dominican army captain accused of being one of the country’s top cocaine smugglers will be extradited to the United States to face drug trafficking and money-laundering charges, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday.

Quirino Paulino Castillo broke down in tears as the ruling was announced in a crowded courtroom in Santo Domingo, the capital. Several women in the gallery shouted in protest against the decision.

Paulino Castillo, 44, was arrested December 18 in Santo Domingo while allegedly transporting 1,387 kilograms (3,051 pounds) of cocaine in a truck. He is charged with five counts of drug smuggling and money laundering in US District Court in New York.

Officials said it was one of the largest quantities of cocaine recovered in the country, setting off investigations into whether Paulino Castillo had help from top government officials. Four other Dominicans were charged in the case.

The high court also seized US$7 million in assets belonging to Paulino Castillo, who earlier this month was transferred from his jail cell to a heavily secured police compound after authorities said they received information that international drug cartels were planning to kill him.

After yesterday’s ruling, heavily armed police escorted a sobbing Paulino Castillo, clad in a bulletproof vest and a helmet, out the back entrance of the courthouse.

Paulino Castillo’s lawyers said they would appeal the ruling, but the Supreme Court has said its decision would be final.

No date has been set for his extradition.

US Ambassador Hans Hertell has said that top officials from the Dominican Republic armed forces and anti-narcotics police force were implicated in drug smuggling.

Paulino Castillo joined the Dominican army in 2001 but was dismissed for “irregular behaviour” in 2003, according to Santo Domingo District Attorney Jose Manuel Hernandez, who has not elaborated.