Listin Diario comments today on Nuria Piera’s investigative TV news story that questions recent allegations that the Colibri helicopter used by former army captain Quirino Paulino Castillo was one that the accused drug smuggler purchased from Colonel Pedro Julio (Pepe) Goico, who headed former President Hipolito Mejia’s advance security team during the previous government. According to the TV show, the Colibri purchased by Quirino could be the one that former Supervisor of Public Works of the Presidency, Hernani Salazar (currently Senator for Duarte province) had purchased through a third person, described as someone who, according to Nuria, does not have the financial means to own such a helicopter. Salazar was one of President Hipolito Mejia’s closest aides during his government and a leading figure in his reelection campaign. A year ago, Nuria ran a news item about the Colibri, saying that her investigations showed that it was the only one in the country and had been purchased by Salazar through engineer Ramon Lopez, who lives in San Francisco de Macoris. The helicopter cost US$1.1 million. Nuria showed engineer Lopez’s house on TV. Quirino Paulino Castillo is being investigated over a cargo of 1,387 kilos of cocaine confiscated in a bust on 12 December. The investigations carried out by National District Attorney Jose Manuel Hernandez Peguero showed that Pepe Goico had sold the Colibri helicopter to the alleged head of the drug smuggler ring. The same investigations showed that he later purchased another helicopter for US$1.7 million.
In another news story, Pedro Julio (Pepe) Goico requests that the Attorney General lift the impediment currently in force on his departure from the DR, so that he can return to the country and then leave again. Goico was allowed to leave the country and is now in France.