Authorities dismantle human trafficking network

Santo Domingo.- The Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Migrant Trafficking and Human Trafficking (PETT), in collaboration with the Santo Domingo Oeste Prosecutor’s Office, dismantled a transnational human trafficking network operating in the Dominican Republic. Authorities arrested three men and one woman and rescued eight Colombian women who were being held against their will and sexually exploited in Santo Domingo.

Investigations revealed that the victims were deceived and brought from Colombia under false promises before being forced into sexual exploitation. Their passports were confiscated, and they were forced to pay US$3,500 by engaging in sex work. The women were confined to a residential apartment in Manoguayabo, where they were restricted from moving freely or communicating and were sometimes deprived of food. Raids on the premises led to the seizure of two vehicles and four packages of suspected cocaine.

The arrested suspects, including Geraldin and/or Geral Torres (presumed Colombian), Jason Manuel Santana (“Nino”), José Manuel Almanzar Taveras, and Joel Rodríguez, face charges under Law 137-03 on Human Trafficking and Law 50-88 on Drug Control. The National Police’s Transnational Crimes Division (DEIDET) and the Antitrafficking Bureau (ATB) assisted in the operation. Authorities stated that further details would be released soon, and the suspects will be presented before a judge following due process.