During September and October, the Dominican Republic’s Army intensified its immigration operations across various regions of the country, resulting in the arrest of 86 people involved in the trafficking of undocumented individuals. These individuals have been handed over to the Public Ministry to face charges related to illegal activities in transporting foreigners without the required documentation.

A military source confirmed to Listín Diario that the arrests were conducted in several provinces as part of a coordinated effort to curb human trafficking. In October alone, a total of 16,255 undocumented individuals were detained, reflecting the magnitude of the problem in the region.

The operations, led by military patrols, involved the detention of people using a variety of vehicles, including motorcycles, trucks, SUVs, and cars, to transport the undocumented migrants. The geographic reach of these operations spanned multiple Army brigades with jurisdiction over different provinces.

In the 3rd Brigade, which covers Azua, Elías Piña, and San Juan de la Maguana, 48 arrests related to undocumented trafficking were made during the mentioned period. Meanwhile, in the provinces of the 4th Brigade — Dajabón, Montecristi, Santiago Rodríguez, and Valverde — there were 28 arrests. Finally, in the area under the responsibility of the 5th Brigade, which includes Barahona and Independencia, 10 people were brought to justice.

The Army’s general commander, Jorge Iván Camino Pérez, emphasized the military’s commitment to acting firmly against any illicit activity of this nature. He assured that all those involved in trafficking undocumented individuals would face legal proceedings to answer for their actions. “No form of criminal activity that compromises the country’s security and immigration laws will be tolerated,” Camino Pérez stressed.

These operations reinforce the Dominican Republic’s strategy to control migratory flows and dismantle networks that profit from the vulnerability of undocumented individuals. The Army’s actions aim not only to sanction offenders but also to deter future trafficking attempts, underscoring the country’s commitment to protecting its borders and upholding the law.