El Caribe reports that fertile soil is being exported from Manzanillo to the islands of Turks and Caicos, along with gravel and building materials. Although no one in Manzanillo knows exactly who is transacting the business,
they are all aware of the dozens of large dump trucks that deposit fertile soil to be transferred to barges. All the duties are paid, and as far as anyone knows there are no laws being broken. Article 41 of the Environmental Law requires impact
studies on any mining operations or procedures that may affect the topsoil. Meanwhile, a barge leaves Manzanillo every 15 days with soil destined for tiny islands that sorely need it.