Santiago court issues convictions against firearms trafficking network
A Santiago court has handed down a sentence against the members of a criminal network dedicated to the smuggling and trafficking of high-caliber firearms. The structure, which operated mainly from the municipality of Licey al Medio, was dismantled following an exhaustive investigation that revealed the scope of its illicit operations in the country.
Judgment details
The court, presided over by judges Ingri Liberato Torres, Deyanira Méndez Cepeda, and Kimberly Tatis Soto, imposed the following sentences on those involved:
- Hornandys Emmanuel Cruz Almonte: 10 years in prison at the CCR Rafey Hombres.
- Samuel Ramón Guaba Caraballo, César Emilio Toribio Vázquez and Félix Francisco Vásquez Peralta: 6 years in prison each, to be served at the CCR La Isleta, in Moca.
- Rosalba María Estrella López: 5 years in prison under a suspended sentence, subject to strict conditions.
- Marcos de Jesús Diplán Diplán: 3 years of suspended prison, in addition to the payment of 25 minimum wages.
Likewise, the court issued an acquittal in favor of Valentín de Jesús Caraballo Guzmán. Those convicted must face fines ranging from 50 to 75 public sector minimum wages.
Those involved violated the regulations of the Dominican Penal Code and Law 631-16 for the Control and Regulation of Weapons, by engaging in criminal conspiracy, trafficking, stockpiling, and money laundering derived from illicit activities.
Operation and research
The dismantling of this gang was possible after more than a year of intelligence and surveillance work. Authorities determined that the group was smuggling firearms from the United States using shipping companies. To do this, they used tanks with double bottoms to hide the parts, which were stored in private residences of those involved and their relatives in Santiago and Moca before being redistributed to other criminal organizations.
During the raids carried out with the support of special units and international cooperation, 18 high-powered pistols —mainly 9mm Glocks—, 3 revolvers, 2 shotguns, vehicles, electronic equipment, and 700,000 pesos in cash were seized. The full reading of the sentence has been scheduled for next October 16th.
