Online news portal Acento reports that three former National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) presidents and 33 high-ranking military officials are investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA recently shared with the Dominican Republic its file on a major drug operation, that of Cesar Emilio Peralta (Cesar El Abusador) that lead to the Attorney General Office to take action and order arrests.
As reported on 15 September 2019 in Acento, the visas of the officers were revoked by the US Department of State. Of these, reportedly two are still active in the Dominican Armed Forces. The report says that six other generals and 28 colonels, some already in retirement, and others that still serve in intelligence operations are investigated. According to the DEA document, the military were allegedly providing facilities and sensitive information to drug trafficking organizations in the country.
The data handled by the DEA and the US Justice system was compiled as the result of deals made by the US judiciary with Dominican, Colombian and Venezuelan drug traffickers who have been extradited to the US from the Dominican Republic over the past 10 years, as reported. Between 2009 and 2019, the DNCD has expelled almost 2,000 DNCD officers and agents for alleged links or closeness to people in drug trafficking organizations. During the same time span, 58 colonels were canceled, but none have faced charges in the justice system.
The high-ranking military under investigation allegedly have assets such as apartments in expensive areas in Santo Domingo and Santiago and villas in vacation enclaves, businesses, high-cost vehicles, bank deposits in and outside the country, and even luxury yachts that do not correspond to their legal income.
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Acento
16 September 2019