SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The authorities in the Dominican Republic have arrested the former major-league pitcher Octavio Dotel and cited the ex-infielder Luis Castillo for their alleged links to a drug-trafficking and money-laundering ring, officials said Tuesday.

Jean Alain Rodríguez, the Dominican attorney general, said police were also pursuing the suspected leader of the ring, César Emilio Peralta, also known as “César the Abuser.” Mr. Castillo — who is not the current Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher — has not yet been arrested.

“Eighteen other people are linked to this network, including athletes and baseball players Octavio Dotel and Luis Castillo,” Mr. Rodríguez said at a news conference, calling it “the most important drug trafficking structure in the region.”

He said Mr. Peralta had created a complicated system of companies to hide the origins of his assets, using members of his family and social circles, “including two sports figures in the Dominican Republic.”