Drug, extortion scandal rocks Dominican Republic Police

Santo Domingo.- Justice minister Francisco Dominguez on Monday said two deputy prosecutors and the heads of the National Police Intelligence and Internal Affairs departments investigate its Central Narcotics Dept. (Dican), in a case in which its director, Col. Carlos Fernández has already been suspended, and several officers arrested.

Quoted by Listin Diario, the official said the integration of the prosecutors into the probe came at the request by National Police chief Manuel Castro five days ago, in the case involving the Dican officers.

Colonel Fernandez was reportedly relieved of his duties.

Apparently, as appears from a statement issued yesterday by the Police, at no time establishing what it is, within the body would narcotics violations of the rules of the institution occurred.

"Certainly there is an ongoing investigation," the National Police said in a statement, but denied that Fernández is under arrest. "Several Dican officers have been arrested and are being investigated, a process initiated at the request of that colonel."

Report

Outlet El Nacional on Monday said a colonel and several police officers were under arrest and being questioned by generals and intelligence agencies on suspicion into the disappearance of drugs worth RD$50 million.

It said Police Headquarters "considers the possibility of dismantling Dican, faced with the scandal uncovered where drugs and money were lost and where officials reportedly extorted from dealers in National District neighborhoods, in Santo Domingo province and cities in the country."