National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso says that she is opposed to withdrawing charges against accused drug dealers in return for extradition. “The evidence is that the practice has not yielded results, she told the press last week. She complained that the sentences given by the US judiciary have not included the confiscation of the drug dealers’ assets and they have not shared with Dominican authorities the information the drug dealers have given them in return for securing reduced sentences. As a result, several major Dominican drug dealers who were extradited to the US have received reduced sentences and have held on to their considerable fortunes after negotiations with the US authorities.
As part of the extradition agreements, the Dominican judiciary had agreed to withdraw charges for drug crimes. Several notorious extradited drug dealers are now returning to the DR to enjoy their extensive fortunes. These include Ramon Antonio del Rosario Puente (Tono Lena), Jose Arismendy Almonte Pena (Joselito.com) Quirino Ernesto Paulino Castillo, brothers Luis David Ulloa and Jean Pual Ulloa, Ernesto Bienvenido Guevara Diaz (Maconi), Lidio Arturo Nin Terrero, Tirso Cuevas Nin, Martires Paulino Castro, Yubel Enrique Mendez Mendez (Oreganito) and Miguel Antonio Suarez Silfa.
The president of the National Council of Drugs (CND) Fidias Aristy alerted in a TV interview that extradition of drug dealers to the United States for them to be tried is no longer effective. He advocates trying the drug dealers and organized crime in the country. “Extradition has become a reason for satisfaction for drug traffickers and organized crime, it is no longer feared,” he said. He said the situation is so beneficial for the criminals that if extraditions continue, the time will come when the criminals will ask to be extradited. Aristy was interviewed by Federico Mendez on “Esferas de Poder” on Santo Domingo TV.
Congress is sitting on a bill aimed at preventing returning drug traffickers from keeping their fortune and dirty assets in the Dominican Republic. A first domain extinction bill submitted by senators Adriano Sanchez Roa, Julio Cesar Valentin and Charlie Mariotti was first presented to the Senate in 2013. The bill is known by its Spanish title: “Proyecto de Ley sobre Juicios de Extincion de Dominio para el Decomiso Civil de Bienes Ilicitos.” A court order would be required for an expropriation to take place. The state prosecution service, nevertheless, would be responsible for carrying out an inventory and safeguarding the assets to prevent them from being transferred to third parties during the hearing process.
The bill would allow the state to expropriate goods acquired with illicitly obtained money.
Nevertheless, the bill would also attack administrative corruption. As drafted, it would be applicable to all government officials, both elected and appointed, whether or not they have worked for autonomous, civilian or military institutions. It will also affect spouses and other relatives.
Fidias Aristy: «Extradición de narcos dominicanos hacia los Estados Unidos ha perdido su eficacia»
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/procurador-y-fiscal-del-distrito-se-expresan-contra-la-devolucion-de-bienes-a-narcos-BG967355
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/capos-vinculados-a-redes-regresan-al-pais-reclamando-bienes-MH955295