Public Prosecutor’s Office requests pretrial detention for Colombian-led network dedicated to drugging and robbing men
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has formalized a request for a coercive measure consisting of pretrial detention against three Colombian citizens, identified as the main members of a criminal structure dedicated to sedating men in order to strip them of their valuable belongings.
The defendants have been identified as Diego Armando González, who also uses the name Jain Zhou Xiao; Natali Valera Castillo González, known by the aliases Andrea or Tati; and Laura Valentina Villegas, nicknamed Tatiana. According to the authorities, this group operated under a well-defined scheme to victimize their targets.
Modus operandi of the gang
The preliminary investigation details that the modus operandi consisted of the women contacting their victims in various entertainment venues. After establishing a connection, they would accompany them to hotels or private apartments. Once at the location, they would proceed to administer sedative substances with the goal of leaving them in a defenseless state and thus steal cash, jewelry, electronic devices, and bank cards.
The crimes were committed between August 30 and September 6 in different sectors of the National District. The capture of those involved was possible thanks to the complaints filed by the victims and the tracking of financial movements made with the stolen cards.
Security cameras were key pieces in the investigation, capturing the defendants making purchases at shopping malls after having executed the robberies, which allowed for strengthening the file presented to the court.
Seized evidence
The arrest of the trio took place on September 11 during a raid operation at the Residencial Arrecifes del Sol, located in East Santo Domingo. During the intervention, the authorities seized a large amount of evidence, among which the following stand out:
- Electronic devices: cell phones, computers, and tablets.
- Valuables: watches, glasses, and clothing.
- Third-party documentation and bank cards.
- A dropper with a liquid substance of unknown composition, allegedly used for sedation.
- Cash and receipts for fraudulent purchases.
Among the most relevant findings, the Public Ministry highlighted the use of a stolen card to purchase five iPhone 17 Pro Max phones, a transaction that exceeded 623,000 Dominican pesos, in addition to other purchases of high-end items. The case continues under the corresponding judicial process to determine the criminal responsibilities of each of those involved.
