Agents seize large amounts of pesos, dollars in garment store

SANTO DOMINGO.- Several million pesos and hundreds of thousands of dollars were seized by Antinarcotics (DNCD) agents in a raid of a clothing store in Santo Domingo, allegedly used to launder money from illicit activities in the United States, from where the cash was sent in boxes.

DNCD spokesman Roberto Lebron said RD$3.9 million and US$387,580 were seized, arrested Victoria Mary Reynoso and is on the lookout for Ernesto Reyes Valerio, suspected of laundering money for others.

He said the ??agents searched the store Tienda Vistar’ on Sabana Larga Av., corner Activo 20-30, on a bench warrant issued by a Santo Domingo Province judge. "During the search were found several boxes and a carry-on suitcase in a storage area of the business, containing the exact amounts of US$ 387,580 and RD$3,897,000 in cash. In another raid officers found US$37,848 and RD$59,180."

Lebron added that smaller amounts were confiscated in a branch of Vistar, located at Mella Av., where agents also seized a Nissan SUV, registered to the Importer Ernest GEN S. A., property of Reyes Valerio, and a Honda car.