Raids in Santo Domingo booze joints nets 21 guns, hookahs, chairs

SANTO DOMINGO.- In weekend raids Police agents and Justice Ministry officials seized 21 pistols, a shotgun, as well as knives in beer joints and bars in greater Santo Domingo, the Interior and Police Ministry (MIP) announced Monday.

It said the 19 nightclubs where the guns were seized were warned that they’ll be shuttered if they continue blocking traffic and bothering their neighbors with their loud music.

Interior and Police minister Jose Ramon Fadul ordered the raids as part of the Democratic Security Plan and the Safe Barrio Program, using Police Alcoholic Beverage Control agents, accompanied by 12 judiciary officials, who confiscated hookahs, chairs and tables placed by those businesses on streets and sidewalks.