Financial Crime World

Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime Rife in Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is struggling with a severe problem of drug trafficking and organized crime, with gangs and criminal networks dominating the country’s illegal markets.

Territorial Control and Criminal Activities

According to a recent report, groups such as the Latin Kings, Los Trinitarios, Bloods, and others have significant territorial control and are involved in a range of criminal activities, including:

  • Drug retailing
  • Extortion
  • Racketeering
  • Money laundering

These groups also have connections to criminal networks operating in the United States and abroad.

Failure to Combat Organized Crime

The report highlights the country’s failure to effectively combat organized crime, citing high levels of corruption within the government and law enforcement agencies. Despite rhetoric from leaders warning of the threat of drug trafficking, concrete action has been lacking.

Porous Borders and Drug Trafficking

The Dominican Republic is a major transshipment point for drugs being smuggled from Mexico and other countries. Criminal networks use the country’s porous borders to traffic illegal substances.

State-Embedded Actors Involved in Drug Trafficking

State-embedded actors have been involved in drug trafficking, including cases of:

  • Military personnel participating in the trade
  • High-level officials and politicians linked to drug traffickers

Lack of Anti-Corruption Institutions and Robust Frameworks

The report notes that the Dominican Republic has a number of treaties and conventions related to organized crime, but lacks:

  • A dedicated anti-corruption institution
  • A robust framework for combating corruption

Criminal Justice System Challenges

The judiciary is often subject to political interference and corruption, with cases of police and military personnel involved in drug trafficking going unpunished. The country’s prisons are overcrowded, and there have been reports of pre-trial detainees being held for extended periods.

Economic Vulnerabilities

The report highlights the country’s economic vulnerabilities, including:

  • A large informal economy
  • Weak financial controls
  • Susceptibility to money laundering and illicit financial flows

Progress Made in Recent Years

Despite these challenges, the Dominican Republic has made some progress in recent years, with improvements in law enforcement and the establishment of dedicated units for:

  • Narcotics
  • Human trafficking
  • Cybercrime

Recommendations

The report concludes that the Dominican Republic needs to take a more comprehensive approach to combating organized crime, including:

  • Strengthening its anti-corruption institutions
  • Improving its criminal justice system
  • Addressing the economic vulnerabilities that make it susceptible to drug trafficking and money laundering.