U.S. contradicts Fernandez view of corruption

posted on: Mar 2 2010 16:12 by Royston. Viewed 720 times.


The U.S. State Department urged  the Dominican Republic to fight �endemic� corruption in government because it hinders progress in the fight against drug trafficking and other organized crime.

The State Department on Monday did praise the "obvious" improvements in law enforcement against drug trafficking in the Dominican Republic. "However, the endemic corruption at all levels of the Dominican Republic Government and private sector groups, is still hampering efforts against a wide range of crimes, including drugs, smuggling and money laundering" says the report.

This view of corruption in the country goes completely against the speech by President Fernandez where he claimed corruption is not widespread but just limited to a few individuals. The president did, however, acknowledge widespread concerns about drug penetration into the ranks of the Armed Forces and National Police.

According to the U.S. report, the Caribbean island remains an important center of drug trafficking, mainly cocaine, coming from South America and heading to U.S. and Europe.

The report estimates that the quantities of drugs that were sold in 2009 in the country are similar to those of previous years, although the authorities increased the volume of seizures.

Ecstasy, which is the primary drug seized in the past, was less evident in seizures during 2009, while cocaine seizures have increased.

For the first time the Dominican government found a new drug trafficking route from Asia to a destination in Central America, carrying pseudoephedrine (used to manufacture methamphetamine), and seized 1.3 million units.

The report also warns of increased juvenile drug use, which has seen an increase in criminal violence.

On the Government's drug policy, the State Department report welcomes the change in the leadership of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), expecting more effective results in the prosecution of traffickers, although the Caribbean country is still "vulnerable" to financial crimes due to a "soft" money laundering legislation.

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