Once again, a technicality is being used to justify the release of drug traffickers caught red-handed.
The reason given for the decision to release the Venezuelans who had arrived on board a plane with 359 kilos of cocaine is that there was a procedural error because the number was missing from the warrant authorizing an inspection of the Cessna airplane. On the other hand, El Dia quotes National District prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso as saying that the document was not necessary because an airplane is a vehicle that was in a public place, the airport, for which an authorization to inspect is not required. The drugs were found in 349 packages inside three suitcases and two handbags.
According to reports, the Venezuelans were arrested after passing the tollbooth on the La Romana-Santo Domingo highway while being pursued by the authorities.
La Romana prosecutor Reina Yaniris Rodriguez said they would be appealing the decision, which she described as incorrect and unfortunate.
The Venezuelans are still in jail awaiting their release.
As reported in the Miami Herald affiliate, El Nuevo Herald, a delegation of Maduro government officials visited the DR to mediate for the release of the Venezuelans.
The president of the Supreme Court of Justice Mariano German has ordered an investigation. Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Aristilda Rodriguez, the judge responsible for the controversial decision, are unknown.
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/justicia/la-suprema-corte-ordena-investigar-decision-que-dejo-libres-a-venezolanos-apresados-con-droga-XC3172264
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article68706787.html
Buscan hasta en “centros espiritistas” a jueza Aristida Mercedes liberó narcos venezolanos
