The Ministry of Environment reported seizing 2,897 bags of charcoal and the destruction of 86 ovens for charcoal production with a capacity of producing 3,000 100lb-sacks of charcoal. The raids and seizures occurred in the border region between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Haiti is a major charcoal exporter, and almost all of the charcoal is illicitly produced in the Dominican Republic.
The Ministry reported that “Operación Chispa” (Operation Spark) was carried out with 256 interventions nationwide to send a clear signal that the government is going to combat the damaging practice.
New Minister of Environment Angel Estevez says the most active points in charcoal production and transport are the provinces of Barahona, Bahoruco, Elías Piña, Dajabón, Pedernales and Independencia on the border with Haiti.
The operation was coordinated by technicians of the Ministry of Environment, working with park rangers, the National Service for Environmental Protection (SENPA), the Dominican Army, Armada, Air Force, National Police, Specialized Corps for Ground Border Security (Cesfront), Ciudad Tranquila (Ciutran) and the Specialized Corps for Touristic Security (Cestur).
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Listin Diario
El Nuevo Diario
4 June 2018
