Millions stolen at Santiago Airport Customs but impunity looms

Santiago.- Eight Customs agency employees in Cibao International Airport are being questioned by the Santiago Office of the Prosecutor in connection with a theft of cash worth millions at ??the airfreight terminal, a case similar to one five years ago that led to impunity.

Prosecutor Luisa Liranzo, who confirmed the robbery, said the investigation has led to numerous arrests and several raids around the city.

Police Crime Scene investigators and prosecutors reviewed security cams at the airport seeking clues into the theft.

Although authorities have yet to specify the amount of money, the sum is is reportedly in the millions.

It’s the second theft at Santiago’s Customs offices in the past five years, when eight people in 2010 eight men mostly sons of key ruling PLD party leaders were charged with embezzling more than RD$100.0 million in “smuggled weapons of various high caliber and other merchandise,” but subsequently released.