Unprecedented plea bargaining in case of Colombian brothers

Santo Domingo.- The Justice Ministry’s Anti-money Laundering Unit on Tuesday announced a plea bargaining with 19 defendants in the case of the Colombians Buitrago brothers, charged with heading an international drug trafficking and money laundering network.

Unit director Germán Miranda said the accused agreed to plea guilty to the charges in exchange for five years in prison and the surrender of all assets he affirms are worth to more than US$1.0 million, several real estate properties and more than 15 vehicles. "The agreement was submitted to the 2nd Instruction Court and its content will be approved on the day of the hearing," set for June 30.

"Because most of them are foreigners, some will serve out their entire sentence and others will be deported so they can complete their penalty in their country of origin," Miranda said.

The official noted however that the Buitrago brothers aren’t part of the agreement, the first in the Dominican Republic to include a large number of defendants.