DOMINICANS MAKE TIP ARRESTS; GET ALIEN SMUGGLING

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 006880 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR, G/TIP FOR RACHEL OWEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV DR SUBJECT: DOMINICANS MAKE TIP ARRESTS; GET ALIEN SMUGGLING CONVICTION ¶1. Dominican authorities continue to crack down on illegal smuggling and trafficking operations, particularly where there is evidence of child sexual exploitation. In late December, the district attorney,s office in Santiago, the Dominican Republic,s second largest city, closed two bars known for child prostitution and rescued nine minors between the ages of 14 and 16. According to Assistant Attorney General Frank Soto, authorities in Santiago acted on an anonymous tip about illicit activities at these bars. Authorities arrested four people in the raids, all of whom are being held in preventive detention on charges of violating the 2003 law against alien smuggling and trafficking in persons (Law 137-03). The minors have reportedly been returned to their homes or placed in the care of the state. ¶2. These arrests are the latest in a series of efforts in Santiago to crack down on child sexual exploitation. In October, police closed down a pornography ring and rescued several children. One suspect in that case is in detention, another is free on bail, and a third is still being sought. ¶3. In addition, a judge in the southwestern town of Neyba sentenced an alien smuggler to three years in jail and a 1,500 peso fine (about USD 52) under Law 137-03. Reports indicate that the smuggler, Christian Dorius, smuggled at least three Haitians across the border, charging them USD 200 each. According to the Haitian migrants, Dorius said that he would take them to the capital, but instead took them to a remote location and robbed them. The migrants were encouraged to go to the authorities by Father Pedro Ruquoy, a Catholic priest who works in a sugar plantation near Barahona and is well known for his advocacy for Haitian migrant workers. The migrants have since been repatriated to Haiti. Hertell