In a recent patrol operation in Montecristi province, the Dominican Republic Army (ERD) detained 90 undocumented Haitian migrants who were traveling in precarious conditions. The group was intercepted while traveling in a refrigerated truck and a jeep on the Las Matas de Santa Cruz-Castañuela highway in early February, as reported in CDN.
During the operation, authorities discovered 79 Haitians, including minors, in the truck’s refrigerated compartment. This enclosed and airtight space posed a severe health risk to the migrants due to limited oxygen. An additional 11 Haitians were found in a Toyota Highlander traveling alongside the truck.
Upon noticing the presence of military patrols, the drivers of both vehicles abandoned the vehicles, leaving the 90 migrants to their own devices. Following the intervention by ERD members, the detainees were transferred to a detention center while their repatriation process was coordinated with the Migration Agency.
The case is under investigation. The DGM has stated that while it will be inflexible in applying Migration Law 285-04 and Ruling No. 631-11 to regulate entry of foreigners and migratory controls at the border with Haiti, it will also crack down on unscrupulous persons who abuse of human rights of foreigners.
Read more in Spanish:
CDN
6 February 2025