Operation XL526: 20 arrested for extorting residents in US from Santiago
The Dominican Ministry of Public Prosecution arrested 20 suspects, including five ringleaders, who were extorting residents in the US while impersonating the Sinaloa Cartel.
Operation XL526 dismantles international extortion network based in Jacagua, Santiago
The Ministry of Public Prosecution of the Dominican Republic executed Operation XL526 against a criminal network that extorted, blackmailed and defrauded residents in the United States from the municipality of Jacagua, province of Santiago, according to infobae.com. The operation resulted in 20 people arrested, with judicial hearings scheduled for the coming hours.
The Office of the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic stated that the structure obtained funds through coercion and then channelled them into money laundering operations. The investigation resulted in 28 raids carried out in Santiago and Puerto Plata by a team of 35 prosecutors.
Five ringleaders among those detained
Among those arrested are five alleged ringleaders: Carlos José Parra Lantigua, Eliardo Peña Almonte, Renso Darío González Almonte, Josiel Pichardo Cabrera and Walinton Sosa Almonte. The Attorney General's Office also identified as members of the network Moisés David Pichardo Aracena, Pedro Antonio Pichardo, Yumeiry Altagracia Cabrera, Danny Rafael Lantigua, Augusto José Reyes and Julio Antonio Peralta del Rosario. Eight other people were arrested for investigation purposes, while authorities continue searching for one more man linked to the case.
The operation was coordinated by the General Directorate of Prosecution and the Santiago Prosecutor's Office. Also participating were the Investigation Area Directorate for Organised Crime, the Special Department for Investigation of Transnational Crimes of the National Police, HSI Santo Domingo, the Central Directorate for Prevention of the National Police and the Task Force against Organised Crime.
Structured script and impersonation of the Sinaloa Cartel
According to the official investigation, the illicit mechanism began with the recruitment of victims through advertising announcements. Once identified, members of the network applied a script previously structured by the ringleaders to subject them to extortion and blackmail.
The Attorney General's Office stated that the accused impersonated, through technological means, alleged members of the so-called "Sinaloa Cartel". With that false identity, they demanded money from the victims and sent them images of crimes to intimidate them. The threats caused fear, suffering and emotional disturbance in both direct recipients and their relatives, with an impact on their personal stability and quality of life, the institution stated.
The organisation was international in character, made up of people proficient in English and with knowledge of technological tools, according to the Attorney General's Office.
Cryptocurrency and remittance companies to conceal the money
Funds obtained were moved through cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, electronic transfers, mirror transfers and deposits through remittance companies and payment platforms, in accordance with the Attorney General's Office. In most cases, transactions were carried out in the names of third parties identified by the investigation, in order to obscure the traceability of the money and conceal its illicit origin.
Recruitment of young people through ostentation
The Attorney General's Office stated that the display of economic wellbeing by members of the organisation encouraged the incorporation of new people, especially young people from Santiago de los Caballeros and neighbouring municipalities. This display of resources was, according to the institution, part of the environment for expansion of the structure.
The charges attributed to the accused include alleged links with crimes and high-technology offences, criminal association, fraud, extortion, blackmail, illicit acquisition of funds, illicit enrichment, money laundering, distribution of controlled substances and use of firearms. The detainees will be presented before the Judicial Office of Permanent Care Services in Santiago in the coming hours, according to the Attorney General's Office of the Dominican Republic.
Source: Google News DO — Crime