Blow to organized crime: Arms trafficking network dismantled in Santiago
The Third Collegiate Court of Santiago handed down an exemplary sentence against a criminal network dedicated to the smuggling and distribution of high-caliber firearms. Following an investigative process led by the Santiago Public Prosecutor’s Office, the main perpetrators were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, setting a significant precedent in the fight against illicit trafficking in the Dominican Republic.
The ringleader of the organization, Hornandys Emmanuel Cruz Almonte, will serve his 10-year sentence at the CCR Rafey Men’s prison. Meanwhile, Samuel Ramón Guaba Caraballo, César Emilio Toribio Vásquez, and Félix Francisco Vásquez Peralta must each serve six years in prison for their direct participation in the storage and commercialization of illegal weaponry.
Modus operandi: Illicit technology and logistics
The investigation revealed details about the gang’s sophisticated logistics. The criminals used family homes in Licey al Medio and Moca as storage centers. To evade border controls, they used tanks modified with hidden compartments and double bottoms, allowing the transport of weapons acquired in the United States into Dominican territory through parcel companies.
The structure not only stored illegal weapons, but also maintained an international supply chain designed to supply other criminal organizations from strategic points in Santiago and Espaillat.
Operational results and judicial charges
The dismantling of this network was the result of more than a year of intelligence and surveillance, with the collaboration of the FBI and specialized units such as the SWAT team and the DEICROI. During the raids, the authorities managed to seize:
- 18 high-power handguns (mostly 9mm Glocks).
- Three revolvers and two shotguns.
- 700 thousand pesos in cash.
- Electronic equipment and vehicles used for criminal logistics.
In addition to the main sentences, the court imposed suspended sentences for other individuals involved, such as Rosalba María Estrella López and Marcos de Jesús Diplán Diplán, under strict conditions. The convicted individuals were found guilty of violating the Dominican Penal Code and Law 631-16 on the control and regulation of weapons, ammunition, and related materials. The full reading of the sentence is scheduled for next October 16th.
