Police in Dominican Republic arrest members of group suspected of trafficking Haitians migrants

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, – The Army of the Dominican Republic (ERD) has dismantled an alleged network involved in trafficking undocumented Haitian migrants in the southern region.

The operation took place in the community of Las Guanábanas, located in the southern town of Azua. During the operation, the suspected ringleader and several individuals connected to the trafficking network were arrested. The ERD’s action is part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and human trafficking in the region. The police report that Felix Leonardo Alcantara Severino, known as ‘Leonel’ or ‘El Presidente’, the alleged leader of the group, was arrested while escorting a bus carrying 70 undocumented Haitians.

The operation, conducted on the weekend, included the capture of other Dominicans linked to the case. During the operation, authorities also located a Mercedes Benz GLE 450, allegedly used in previous smuggling operations. The army said the detainees will be handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for prosecution, while the seized vehicles and the undocumented Haitians were transferred to the 13th Infantry Battalion of the ERD.