Environment agents make major busts at ravaged rivers

Santo Domingo.- Environment minister Bautista Rojas on Monday vowed to break the law “if that’s what it takes” to halt the devastation of rivers by people and companies who extract aggregates illegally.

The official announced the confiscation of more than 100 pieces of heavy equipment including dump trucks and backhoes during the weekend, used to excavate and transport construction materials extracted from rivers across the country.

He said the confiscation was the result vigilance at strategic locations, where sand and gravel is extracted from rivers and riverbanks.

Rojas said Environmental Protection agents confiscated the equipment after patrols in the areas, and warned that he’s willing to break the law to halt the devastation. “That devastation cannot be paid even with the lives those responsible; we have confiscated more than 100 pieces of heavy equipment.”

“We caught them red handed. They started calling local authorities and the political figures right away, but even if I have to break the law, I won’t return that equipment.”