Police, military and prosecutors raided the 15 de Azua jail in southwestern Azua. Jail and crime advisor to President Luis Abinader, Roberto Santana arranged for the surprise operation.
As reported, a gang of around 15 inmates controlled the jail services with the complacency of the warden and military. The inmates were sent separately to jails around the country.
Santana explained the 15 people who were extorting money from the inmates and organizing criminal activities outside the jail were identified during the raid.
The group was in charge of extorting money from the inmates, charging them for bedding arrangements and for food. This group called itself a discipline committee, said Santana.
Regarding the operation, Santana informed that a contingent of 360 military and police personnel, with the backing of drones, prevention and dog unit, raided the prison, to take control and seize all the illegal items.
The operation in Azua, follows an earlier raid carried out at the Victoria Jail in Santo Domingo.
The wardens, military and police at the Azua jail were all changed.
President Abinader recently guaranteed his government is confronting the many criminal structures in operation in and outside jails.
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N Digital
2 November 2020