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Rafael Guzman. File photo.

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HIGÜEY.- Dominican Police and United States (FBI) investigators yesterday conducted searches in several towns of Altagracia province(east), where they seized properties worth millions from the Benítez brothers, four Cuban nationals charged with defrauding the U.S. Social Security for US$110 million.

More than one hundred SWAT and other agents participated in the searches  and occupied the cabañas Mi Casa and Singapur, located near Higüey, where an unspecified amount of money and firearms were also seized.

Police chief Rafael Guzmán, who headed the operation, said the FBI and the Justice Ministry have been investigating the Benítez case since January, and was coordinated with caution and precision.

"It’s one of the stiffest blows we’ve landed on organized crime in the Dominican Republic. This operation has been well planned and jointly in different points of the Eastern region. We expect to get to the bottom of it with the charges filed, because everything has been conducted as a legal operation."

Guzmán the brothers Oscar, Carlos, Jose and Luis Benítez operated a gangster network in the United States that stole 110 million dollars from MediCare and laundered the money in the country, buying properties that are being investigated.

From Higüey, the authorities went to Bavaro, where they seized the Bavaro-Punta Cana Aquatic Park, the Cabañas Vista Bavaro, the company Global Rent-Car, thus two residences in Villas Bavaro.

In the beach at Punta Cana the police occupied 18 speedboats and two catamarans.

The Police chief said the operations could last another 15 days to conclude the confiscation process and inventory the remaining properties acquired by the Benítez brothers for the money laundered in the region and in other areas.

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COMMENTS
8 comment(s)
Written by: gouletcolonial This user is banned, 18 Jul 2008 9:04 AM
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
Oh goody who gets to divide up the loot.....and will the public see any benefits...or just a bunch of off duty cops partying in speedboats and cabana jacuzzis
Written by: dreadlocks, 18 Jul 2008 9:43 AM
From: United States
a few ¨investors¨biting dust. wonder how many more of these types are floating around out there? my guess is many.
Written by: gouletcolonial This user is banned, 18 Jul 2008 10:21 AM
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
was this part of the alledged kidnapping last week ?
Written by: BLANCO, 18 Jul 2008 10:32 AM
From: Dominican Republic
now let's look at the russians!!
Written by: dreadlocks, 18 Jul 2008 10:37 AM
From: United States
hey, Blanco, be cautious with your remarks, or you will be branded a HATER, and even become the target of the worst of insults; you might be called a Haitian. after all, these are just investors who love the business climate in the DR!
Written by: BLANCO, 18 Jul 2008 4:37 PM
From: Dominican Republic
dread my comment was in line with yours
Written by: PuntaCanaMike, 18 Jul 2008 4:54 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Curious to what speedboats and Cats they are talking about...as it is business as usual today on the beach. There is only one company that has both affiliated with both. Perhaps another case of sieze the wrong property...oups...sorry about that guys...carry on!
Written by: PuntaCanaMike, 18 Jul 2008 5:13 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Did they get there men or are they still roaming about???
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