Public Ministry opens Sosúa office to combat human trafficking, pimping, sexual exploitation

Sosua, DR.- The Public Prosecutor’s Office yesterday inaugurated the first Special Prosecutor’s Office in the municipality of Sosúa, in the province of Puerto Plata, as part of the second phase of an operation, a national strategy against human trafficking, pimping, and other related crimes.

The new prosecutor’s office will have jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute cases related to human trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation of minors, micro-drug trafficking, and other related criminal activities, according to a press release.

The opening ceremony was led by the Attorney General of the Republic, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, who called on civil society, business leaders, and local authorities to collaborate in rescuing and relaunching Sosúa as a safe and crime-free tourist destination.

“Sosúa deserves a better future. Let’s build the future this municipality needs,” Reynoso said during his speech at the ceremony.

Mixed patrol and special attention from the State

The Attorney General assured that Sosúa will receive special attention from various state agencies and announced that mixed patrols —made up of members of the National Police and the Armed Forces—will be maintained to ensure the safety of residents, tourists, and merchants.

“These are the State’s investigative and prosecution agencies united to guarantee the peace and security of working people. Criminals will not have peace, because their peace is often the insecurity of society ,” Reynoso stated emphatically.

Interinstitutional coordination

The new office will be headed by Prosecutor Hilda Patricia Lagombra Polanco, who previously served as the national coordinator of the Penitentiary Management Model and as part of the Puerto Plata Prosecutor’s Office. The office will be located in Linda Marina Plaza, situated at 58 Pedro Clisante Street, in downtown Sosúa.

Reynoso also recognized the work of the National Prosecution Directorate of the Public Ministry, headed by Deputy Attorney General Wilson Camacho, as well as the heads of the specialized units: Yoanna Bejarán Álvarez (human trafficking), Olga Diná Llaverías (childhood and adolescence), and Danissa Cruz (human rights).

Undercover investigation

The head of the Public Ministry emphasized that planning for this operation took several months, and undercover agents carried out the investigation.

“We spent more than four months investigating what was happening in Sosúa . Maybe they didn’t see us, because we worked undercover. But we tell the criminals : we know everything,” he said.

Finally, Reynoso stressed that Operation Atlantic is a community transformation strategy, designed to revive the image and tourism potential of Sosúa.

“This municipality has everything it needs to become a prime tourist destination . It just needs organization, institutional support, and a collective commitment to legality,” he concluded.