Police in Dominican Republic arrest members of network that trafficked undocumented Haitians

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, CMC –  The Army of the Dominican Republic (ERD) has dismantled an alleged network dedicated to the trafficking of undocumented Haitians in the southern region after arresting the suspected ringleader and several people involved in an operation carried out in the community of Las Guanábanas in the southern town of Azua.

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.

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