Authorities raid residence of former INTRANT director Hugo Beras

Santo Domingo.- Authorities conducted a raid at the residence of Hugo Beras, former director of the National Institute of Transit and Land Transportation (INTRANT), located in the Torre Juan Antonio XVI in the Piantini sector. The search was confirmed by Beras’ legal representative, Attorney Laura Acosta, who reported the event through her X account. She stated that law enforcement officials were not allowing Beras’ lawyers to enter the premises or view the court orders. Members of the Police and Special Operations from the Attorney General’s Office were present during the operation.

The investigation follows allegations of irregularities in a contract between INTRANT and Transcore Latam, SRL, a company hired to modernize the traffic light system for Greater Santo Domingo. The General Directorate of Public Procurement (DGCP) suspended the RD$1,300 million contract on October 31, 2023, after finding indications of malpractice in the bidding process. In response to the controversy, Hugo Beras requested unpaid leave from his position on November 9, 2023, to facilitate the investigation.

Additionally, the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) recently arrested Jochi Gómez, a co-owner of Transcore Latam SRL, for his alleged involvement in the scandal. The contract suspension and arrests are part of a broader effort to scrutinize the implementation and management of the traffic light system in Santo Domingo, raising concerns over the transparency and integrity of the project.