Navy arrests Haitian poachers, incinerates boats

Manzanillo, Dominican Republic.- The Dominican Navy on Wednesday incinerated several boats and arrested seven Haitian fishermen for alleged poaching and robberies in territorial waters at Bahia Manzanillo (northwest).

The suspects were spotted by a Navy patrol in the area from Punta Presidente to Bahia Manzanillo, where they allegedly injured a whale recently, which subsequently died.

The Navy said it seized from the detainees fishing tackle, thousands of small fish and tools for trawling.

In recent days Haitians also use the Atlantic waters near Montecristi province to smuggle contraband, merchandise and undocumented people.