More than 70 businesses inspected and dozens of arrests made in security operation

SANTO DOMINGO. During joint intervention operations, the authorities closed several businesses, notified others of the possibility of closing them, and arrested dozens of people for breaking the law, affecting security and social tranquility.

According to the information provided by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Program (COBA) of the Ministry of Interior and Police, during the inter-institutional effort integrated by mixed forces, composed of members of the Public Ministry, the National Police, the Ministry of Defense (MIDE), and the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), about 70-night businesses, including grocery stores, bars, and liquor stores, were inspected.

Five businesses were closed for this amount: three in Greater Santo Domingo and the remaining two in provinces of the interior of the country. Meanwhile, 24 establishments were notified for minor infractions to regularize their situation; 10 businesses are located in Greater Santo Domingo and 14 in the country’s interior.

According to official information, minors were present in the intervened businesses, slot machines were used, and noise pollution was detected. Illegal occupation of public spaces, lack of safety signs, and the absence of emergency doors were also noted.

The simultaneous operations, ordered by President Luis Abinader and executed through the Ministry of Interior and Police, led by Faride Raful, were carried out in the National District, Santo Domingo, Duarte, Monseñor Nouel, and Hato Mayor provinces.

The mixed forces were accompanied by representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, who notified the business owners or representatives about the measures taken.

Also, during “Operation Peace Guarantee,” several people were arrested who tried to obstruct the work of the authorities and others who were found with prohibited substances.

Edwin Féliz, vice minister of Internal Security, who headed the operations in the National District, assured that they would be carried out permanently to guarantee security in the areas with the highest crime rates.

“The Dominican people deserve to rest and live peacefully; minors cannot be in places where they are not allowed, and we want the law to be complied with,” said the official.

The intervened sectors in the National District are Villa Francisca, Villas Agrícolas, Villa Consuelo, Ensanche La Fe, and Cristo Rey.

The operation covered Las Flores, Santa Ana, Caonabo Avenue, Ribera del Jaya, Libertad Avenue, La Villa Olímpica, La Javiela, Los Maestros, Los Rieles, and El Capacito in Duarte province.

Fermín Domínguez, general director of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Program (COBA), emphasized that, on the instructions of the President of the Republic and Minister Faride Raful, they were in the streets reaffirming the commitment to maintain peace and citizen security.

He explained that the closed businesses did not comply with correcting the irregularities detected during a previous visit.

Carlos José Alcántara, regional director of COBA, revealed that they seized horns, motorcycles, several slot machines, chairs, and tables that were obstructing sidewalks and pedestrians during the intervention.

Before the joint intervention operation, launched last Friday, the COBA director met with Junior Gonzalez and other members of the Dominican Union of Owners of Nightclubs and Entertainment Centers (UDCEND) to discuss the importance of compliance with Resolution No. 001-2022, signed by the Ministries of Interior, Police, and Tourism.

The regulation governs the hours and conditions for selling alcoholic beverages in bars and discotheques located inside hotels.

Dominguez explained that, on Minister Faride Raful’s instructions, other meetings will be held with the owners of all levels and classifications of commercial establishments that dispense alcoholic beverages at the national level.

Last Friday, the government, through the Ministry of Interior and Police and thanks to an inter-institutional effort, launched a joint intervention operation to maintain security and social tranquility and reduce the incidence of crime.