Authorities rescue 62 women from human trafficking network in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata.- Authorities in Puerto Plata rescued 62 women who were victims of commercial sexual exploitation during a large-scale operation targeting a human trafficking network in the tourist areas of Cabarete and Sosúa.

The operation was carried out by the Joint Specialized Investigation Unit Against the Illicit Trafficking of Migrants and Related Crimes, in coordination with the Puerto Plata Prosecutor’s Office and the Department of Transnational Crimes Investigations (DEIDET). Authorities executed seven court-authorized raids and arrested six suspects, including Dominican, Haitian, and Spanish nationals allegedly linked to sexual exploitation and pimping activities.

Among those detained were Franklin Alberto García Brito, Rosa Iris Almarante, Belkis María Salas Díaz de Heinsen, Lurdes and/or Louders, Haitian citizen Nehemie Granicher, and Spanish national Peter Granicher. Officials reported that the rescued victims — 51 Dominicans and 11 Haitians — were placed under the care of the Attorney General’s Office victim assistance unit for protection and support services.