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