368 arrested and 207 vehicles seized in environmental protection operations

Santo Domingo.- In February 2024, the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA) conducted 638 operations resulting in the arrest of 368 individuals and the impounding of 207 vehicles. The arrests were made in accordance with law 64-00 of Environment and Natural Resources, with the apprehended vehicles including backhoes, mechanical shovels, dump trucks, trucks, motorcycles, screens, picks and shovels, power plants, and other equipment.

During the month, SENPA members conducted 1,990 control and surveillance patrols. Among those detained, 121 were Dominican nationals, and 161 were Haitian nationals, all charged with violating environmental laws. The environmental crimes encompassed activities such as tree felling and transportation, charcoal oven manufacturing and incineration, food extraction and transportation, as well as the capture and commercialization of maritime species during closed seasons. These incidents occurred across the National Geography.

The operations were overseen by Captain René Isidro Rodríguez Álvarez, the general director of SENPA from the Navy of the Dominican Republic. He urged the public to prioritize environmental conservation, emphasizing that it is a collective responsibility. Captain Rodríguez Álvarez reaffirmed SENPA’s commitment to investigating, pursuing, detaining, and presenting individuals, both natural and legal, who violate environmental laws. This dedication aims to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and combat environmental exploitation.