Cracking down on La Altagracia drug trafficking network

[Dolores]

The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing has seized property valued at over RD$6 million and firearms during simultaneous raids targeting a dismantled drug trafficking network, identified in July 2024 as part of Operation Rana that cracked down on the so-called La Altagracia Narcotics Network.

The operation involved a team from the Public Ministry, including prosecutors Claudio Alberto Cordero Jiménez, Hitler Stalin Sánchez, and José Manuel Calzado, along with members of the Asset Seizure and Administration Directorate and the Financial Investigation and Money Laundering Directorate (DIFLA), as well as the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD). The raids were conducted under judicial orders against the criminal organization.

The properties targeted belonged to Rigoberto Castillo Santana, who, along with José Padua...

Continue reading...

 

[drstock]

Can there really be a prosecutor called Hitler Stalin Sánchez?

 

[CristoRey]

Having had the unique experience of living in a real Dominican barrio,
arguably one of the most well-known in the country, I learned a lot about
drug trafficking and drug sales during my time there by speaking with locals.
From what I was told back then, the military controlled the import side and
the police controlled the points of sale. Whether or not this still the case is indeed a mystery.
Compared to the last administration, this administration is making tons more
in drug seizures. (which I think is fantastic) La Altagracia drug trafficking network included, why is that?

 

[windeguy]

At the end of the day, when all is said and done, the bottom line is there will be no shortage of drugs.
Someone else will step up to keep the supply line flowing. So much money to be made in the war on drugs.
There is no mystery as to why the corruption will continue forever and ever, and that is a long time.

 

[bob saunders]

Having had the unique experience of living in a real Dominican barrio,
arguably one of the most well-known in the country, I learned a lot about
drug trafficking and drug sales during my time there by speaking with locals.
From what I was told back then, the military controlled the import side and
the police controlled the points of sale. Whether or not this still the case is indeed a mystery.
Compared to the last administration, this administration is making tons more
in drug seizures. (which I think is fantastic) La Altagracia drug trafficking network included, why is that?

 

[La Profe_1]

Please remember that DR law is very strict about libel. Generalized comments that imply wrongdoing without proof of such can bring about legal penalties. Sometimes generally believed information is better not posted on a public forum.

 

[windeguy]

Please remember that DR law is very strict about libel. Generalized comments that imply wrongdoing without proof of such can bring about legal penalties. Sometimes generally believed information is better not posted on a public forum.

There is plenty of proof every week of "wrong doing". It is in the news all the time. If you want more proof, just wait until the next news article which is forthcoming any minute now.

 

[CristoRey]

Please remember that DR law is very strict about libel. Generalized comments that imply wrongdoing without proof of such can bring about legal penalties. Sometimes generally believed information is better not posted on a public forum.

I have notice that news articles involving suspected military involvement and police involvement in
the drugs trade seem to get removed from the internet/ suppressed rather quickly.

Does anyone remember the incident where an individual "of authority" turned off a radar system at
an airport to facilitate the arrival of an airplane from abroad suspected of transporting drugs?
It happened in San Pedro de Macorís if my memory serves me correct. Whatever happened to those guys?

Does anyone remember an incident that happened a few years ago down in (i think) Barahona involving
several P.N. and infighting among them over kilos of cocaine? One of the individuals involved was the
daughter of a high ranking officer. Zero follow up in the news. Whatever happened to those guys?

There are plenty of incidents that have happened over the last decade.

The truth hurts.

History doesn't lie.

Another major scandal rocks Dominican military

<p>Santo Domingo. – The airplane stolen from La Isabela International Airport (AILI) in Higüero was flown out of the country by two foreign pilots linked to drug trafficking, allegedly helped by Army lieutenant John E. Percival Matos, according to the investigation thus far. The case is the...

dominicantoday.com

 

[CristoRey]

Please remember that DR law is very strict about libel. Generalized comments that imply wrongdoing without proof of such can bring about legal penalties. Sometimes generally believed information is better not posted on a public forum.

If you feel my previous post may be considered "libel" then feel free to remove it as this was certainly not my intent.

 

[AlterEgo]

I have notice that news articles involving suspected military involvement and police involvement in
the drugs trade seem to get removed from the internet/ suppressed rather quickly.

Does anyone remember the incident where an individual "of authority" turned off a radar system at
an airport to facilitate the arrival of an airplane from abroad suspected of transporting drugs?
It happened in San Pedro de Macorís if my memory serves me correct. Whatever happened to those guys?

Does anyone remember an incident that happened a few years ago down in (i think) Barahona involving
several P.N. and infighting among them over kilos of cocaine? One of the individuals involved was the
daughter of a high ranking officer. Zero follow up in the news. Whatever happened to those guys?

There are plenty of incidents that have happened over the last decade.

The truth hurts.

History doesn't lie.

Another major scandal rocks Dominican military

<p>Santo Domingo. – The airplane stolen from La Isabela International Airport (AILI) in Higüero was flown out of the country by two foreign pilots linked to drug trafficking, allegedly helped by Army lieutenant John E. Percival Matos, according to the investigation thus far. The case is the...

dominicantoday.com

I can tell you what happened to Percival Matos. He died in a hail a bullets.

 

[windeguy]

I can tell you what happened to Percival Matos. He died in a hail a bullets.

Just another case of the damage caused by drugs.

 

[La Profe_1]

To all those who are claiming "everyone knows" - my reminder was prompted by a since-deleted comment alleging that Abinidar was culpable in the the corruption that existed before his first term in office.

It is not a good look for DR1 to permit such unsubstiated charges against the president.

¿Me entiende ahora?

 

[USA DOC]

To all those who are claiming "everyone knows" - my reminder was prompted by a since-deleted comment alleging that Abinidar was culpable in the the corruption that existed before his first term in office.

It is not a good look for DR1 to permit such unsubstiated charges against the president.

¿Me entiende ahora?

Its hard for one to outrun their Demons,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[bob saunders]

To all those who are claiming "everyone knows" - my reminder was prompted by a since-deleted comment alleging that Abinidar was culpable in the the corruption that existed before his first term in office.

It is not a good look for DR1 to permit such unsubstiated charges against the president.

¿Me entiende ahora?

My comment that you deleted was not directed at your hero Abinader, but at his government, after all two members of his government were running a money laundering/drug money scheme and were arrested. There is no shortage of drugs on the street here, so the various large drugs busts haven't dented the supply. Several others posts that were not removed were much more critical of the powers in this country.

 

[La Profe_1]

Bob, back off a bit. I'm not a citizen of the DR, so I am careful to stay out of politics. Therefore, I have no heroes in the political arena

I deleted your comment because you named the President of the DR in relation to the involvement of government employees in the drug trade. DR 1 doesn't need to be involved in a lawsuit because of defamation of the president.

 

[bob saunders]

Bob, back off a bit. I'm not a citizen of the DR, so I am careful to stay out of politics. Therefore, I have no heroes in the political arena

I deleted your comment because you named the President of the DR in relation to the involvement of government employees in the drug trade. DR 1 doesn't need to be involved in a lawsuit because of defamation of the president.

I am a citizen. Did I use his name in my original statement? I don't believe so.

 

[La Profe_1]

I am a citizen. Did I use his name in my original statement? I don't believe so.

You did, and that is why I deleted your comment.

 

[Big]

To all those who are claiming "everyone knows" - my reminder was prompted by a since-deleted comment alleging that Abinidar was culpable in the the corruption that existed before his first term in office.

It is not a good look for DR1 to permit such unsubstiated charges against the president.

¿Me entiende ahora?

its not often, but I agree with you.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

I remain surprised with builder's remarks. As a citizen with his vast global experience, expertise and intimate knowledge of all things Dominican, he clearly should be aware of the differences between O Canada, US and DR when it comes to the law and rights.

For those that may feel La Profe is dramatizing the issue a bit, let me remind the lay folks that defamation and/or injury in the Dominican Republic, while similarities with US law, there are key differences in how damages or harm must be proven. Unlike the US where proving tangible harm (such as financial or relational damage) is typically essential, Dominican law focuses primarily on whether the defamatory statement harmed the reputation or honor of the individual. Specifically, in the DR, to prove defamation or slander it is sufficient to show that the defendant's statements harmed the reputation, honor, or dignity of the plaintiff, regardless of whether there were measurable impacts on their livelihood, income, or relationships. In the D of R, they focus on moral harm (think Dominican overinflated pride) over tangible harm in defamation cases. Thus, a person bringing a defamation case is not necessarily required to prove economic loss, as the damage to one’s reputation (read as: Dominican pride) is often viewed as injurious under the law.

Sources
re: criminal prosecution: Article 367 Dom penal code, Law 6132.

In the even of a civil case, the more proof the better, especially when seeking financial restitution: Articles 1382, 3 of the Dom civil code.

 

[CristoRey]

Specifically, in the DR, to prove defamation or slander it is sufficient to show that the defendant's statements harmed the reputation, honor, or dignity of the plaintiff, regardless of whether there were measurable impacts on their livelihood, income, or relationships. In the D of R, they focus on moral harm (think Dominican overinflated pride) over tangible harm in defamation cases. Thus, a person bringing a defamation case is not necessarily required to prove economic loss, as the damage to one’s reputation (read as: Dominican pride) is often viewed as injurious under the law.

I honestly don't think it's possible to overstate how sensitive most Dominican men are.