Dominican authorities incinerate illicit goods valued at more than RD$362 million
In a forceful effort to curb smuggling, tax evasion, and unfair competition, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), together with the Specialized Fuel and Merchandise Control Corps (CECCOM), proceeded with the incineration of more than 28.3 million units of illicit products. The value of the destroyed items amounts to RD$362,788,883, marking a milestone in the country’s commercial security strategy.
During the destruction ceremony, the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces and security agencies to the constant surveillance of borders, ports, and national distribution points.
This great effort will continue throughout the national territory, so that every time we announce the burning of these products, the quantity increases, as has happened in recent years.
Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, Minister of Defense.
Consumer and formal market protection
The Vice Minister of the MICM, Rainiero Olivo, highlighted that these actions not only defend legality, but also act as a protective shield for Dominican consumers, local producers, and those businesses that rigorously comply with current regulations. For his part, Eddy Alcántara, director of Pro Consumidor, emphasized the deterrent value of these interventions, warning that those who operate outside the law will face severe consequences.
Balance of seizures and tax evasion
The figures presented by the MICM reflect the magnitude of the challenge. Between January and September 2026, authorities have seized more than 63.8 million units of irregular merchandise, with a total value exceeding one billion pesos. Key results for the period include:
- Fuels: Retention of 275,302 gallons, including diesel, LPG, gasoline, and kerosene, valued at RD$68.6 million.
- Cigarettes: 24,382,117 units were destroyed. The State estimates that, had they been commercialized, more than RD$233 million in taxes and duties would have been evaded.
- Operations: 8,006 control actions have been executed, resulting in the retention of 77 vehicles used for the transport of illegal merchandise.
Brigadier General Orlando Jerez Espaillat, director of CECCOM, noted that the destruction carried out at the facilities of the company RECICLA is part of the joint work of the Illicit Trade Roundtable. Various entities participate in this multisectoral collaboration, including the General Directorate of Customs, the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, the Attorney General’s Office, and the National Police.
The destroyed products were removed from the market due to various violations, ranging from the absence of sanitary registrations and adulteration, to direct smuggling and counterfeiting, reaffirming the Dominican State’s commitment to maintaining a transparent and safe commercial environment.
