The Ministry of Public Health (SESPRES) issued a warning yesterday against a group of swindlers, passing themselves off as SESPRES officials, extorting money from merchants, producers and others in exchange for falsified sanitary permits and certificates. Many establishments, including colmados, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, food processors and others, are required to get special permits or certificates from SESPRES in order to operate. SESPRES warned yesterday that a yet-unidentified group has been making rounds of establishments in Santo Domingo, the Cibao and northeastern provinces claiming to be from SESPRES’ Environmental Health Directorate-General. These persons are demanding large sums to issue the establishments new certificates and permits, all of which are false documents. SESPRES warned that businesses should not pay for permits and licenses except at their local SESPRES office. If someone tries to pull this scheme on an establishment, they should notify the police immediately.
