Planes, ships which fail to supply list of people on board face US$10,000 fine

Santo Domingo.- Immigration director Jose R. Taveras on Tuesday announced that starting September, all air and maritime operations to or from Dominican territory must abide by law and provide the list of passengers and crew to his Agency.

The official said the process will be done through the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), and warned that failure to comply could to penalties as Immigration Law 265 stipulates, including fines as high as 50 minimum wages (around US$10,000) .

Taveras made the announcement during a meeting with officials from various agencies and executives representing air carriers that provide international passenger transport.

Cuban smuggling

"We are going to keep a close watch on the marinas," he said, in reference to recent reports of Cubans being smuggled to Puerto Rico aboard yatchs operating out of the east region.