Bust of ‘Eastern Cartel’s’ kingpins unleashes fierce turf war

Santo Domingo.- The country’s antinarcotics authorities have identified at least 20 structures which sell drugs across the country, ranging from complex networks operating in the east region to the most basic drug pushers.

One the most complex and violent groups is based in the East region, and is currently in a fierce turf after its original leaders were arrested.

National Police Antinarcotics director Carlos Fernández Valerio calls them the remnants of the cartel headed by Puerto Rican kingpin José Figueroa Agosto and Antonio del Rosario Puente (Toño Leña).

He said the criminal structure is what most resembles a true cartel, because it’s formed by several groups with different "activities" within the same organization. “In this organization, as in any other cartel, there isn’t a single head but each group acts in line with the others, although fierce fights occur between people who seek to displace the other.”

Quoted by eldia.com.do, Fernandez said the bosses of the “Eastern Cartel” wage a fierce turf war over the spaces left by Figueroa and del Rosario, which he affirms has caused the deaths of dozens of people.