The Operation Falcon drug trafficking and money laundering case continues to be the frontpage story in the Dominican Republic. Operation Falcon is shaking the political establishment.
In a new development, the Public Prosecutors’ Office requested that the Supreme Court of Justice designate a judge to open the hearing for accusations against three deputies found to have ties with the drug traffickers investigated in the case. These are Nelson Rafael Marmolejos Gil (PRM-Santiago), Héctor Darío Féliz Féliz (PRD-Pedernales) and Faustina Guerrero Cabrera (PRM-El Seibo), accused of money laundering. During the present administration, other legislators that have been investigated for drug trafficking and money laundering ties are Rosa Amalia Pilarte (PRM-La Vega) and Miguel Andrés Gutiérrez Díaz (PRM-Santiago). Gutierrez Diaz was arrested on drug trafficking related charges by the US authorities when traveling to Miami, Florida.
Listin Diario reports that their sources indicate that one senator and at least five other deputies are under investigation and could be prosecuted in the near future.
Dominican law gives legislators privileged status. The legislators can be investigated but they cannot be arrested and criminal accusations against them need to be heard by the Supreme Court of Justice. This means their cases will be fast-tracked unless they resign their legislative immunity.
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PGR
Listin Diario
16 September 2021