Fuerza del Pueblo demands exemplary sanction for irregularities in border customs
The political organization Fuerza del Pueblo has raised its voice to request that the competent authorities rigorously apply the new Penal Code in response to the customs fraud detected in the transit of goods across the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The party insists that an exhaustive investigation must be carried out that reaches all levels of this illicit network.
Orlando Espinosa, Secretary of Customs and Port Affairs for the entity, emphasized that the combination of the new Penal Code with the General Customs Law 168-21 provides the necessary legal framework to forcefully punish economic crimes related to the diversion of products declared under international transit.
If the competent authority has initiated any type of investigation, they must not stop at the weakest link.
Orlando Espinosa, Secretary of Customs and Port Affairs of the Fuerza del Pueblo.
Scope of sanctions and corporate liability
Espinosa emphasized that the investigations must go beyond logistics operators and focus on the masterminds and beneficiaries of these practices. As he detailed, the new legal framework allows for the prosecution of crimes such as smuggling, falsification of manifests, tampering with seals, and bribery of public officials.
- Severe penalties: The regime of consequences includes imprisonment, significant fines, and asset forfeiture, covering both cargo vehicles and properties used for illegal storage.
- Money laundering: Authorities have been urged to investigate the flow of capital originating from these illicit operations.
- Corporate liability: The goal is to apply sanctions to legal entities, customs agencies, and transport companies involved, which could face anything from the closure of their facilities to permanent disqualification from operating in foreign trade or contracting with the State.
The political leader warned that the irregular introduction of goods into the Dominican market, evading the corresponding taxes, generates unfair competition that directly affects producers, merchants, and importers who operate within the legal framework, in addition to harming State tax revenues.
Finally, the People’s Force called for strengthening traceability protocols and real-time monitoring of goods crossing the border, with the aim of shielding the customs system against any attempt at tax evasion or smuggling.
