SANTO DOMINGO.- Military from different branches assigned to the Las Americas International Airport are part of a ring which pillages the luggage of arriving passengers, admitted one the agents arrested in the case.
During interrogations after his arrest together with a civilian, Drugs Control agent Melvin Figueroa, stationed in Las Americas, confessed to stealing a laptop and other belongings from luggage.
Among the military Figueroa identified as being part of the ring are the lieutenants Paulino Pinales Sanchez and Javier Novas, of the Police antinarcotics unit, and Dominican Air Force sergeant William Moreno Báez.
The scandal broke when newspaper El Dia uncovered the frequent theft from baggage, especially at Las Americas, where the most recent case was an Iberia flight from Madrid on Saturday, August 8, when the ring diverted a luggage container, and the passengers were told it had been left in that country, but would be delivered to them the following day.
During that time the thieves sacked all the suitcases and took them to an airport warehouse, a move detected after a group of that flight’s passengers agreed to denounce it publicly.
Initially, no authority admitted responsibility before the victims, but several measures were adopted afterwards to prevent similar actions.
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
You can be sure it was not the first time ....the level of military corruption and these were officers involved is unthinkable
From: United States
The airlines should have people who know the luggage flew with the plane and be able to tell the passengers the luggage was in fact on the plane and is on the ground. No reason to give these theives a day to go through people's luggage.
Now is when those involved should be prosecuted and punished even harsher than a normal theif on the streets. Make a statement LF that people who abuse their official positions will be punished even more severely or this will not stop.
From: Dominican Republic, Parque Colon statue of Anacaona
Tourism surely hushed this as it would be the kiss of death .....those responsible will never be punished you can be sure
From: Dominican Republic, Boca de Chavon
Unfortunately , luggage has to be searched so often these days around the world that thefts occur ..and I lost some things from my bag in a long transit in JFK recently and I read in Australia there were also problems and also at Heathrow ...The customs people will break any locks so is impossible to secure belongings
Written by: xwill7, 20 Aug 2009 10:49 AM
From: United States, Chicago
I had TSA locks that secuity should have the key for it, they still cut my locks. What is wierd is that I have been flying with the same locks in and out of DR for a while but they cut them in December. Where they looking for xmas gifts?
Also, who is dumb enough to check in a laptop??? The way baggage carriers throw your luggage the laptop would suffer some damage.
Written by: avi8or55, 20 Aug 2009 10:56 AM
From: United States, Sosua
The investigations should be extended to ALL the airports in DR, not only Las Americas! La Union is notorious for missing items from luggage, and the perpetrators sometimes leave the freakin bag open like it was nothing! You have to be crazy to pack valuable items in checked luggage, but people still do it everyday! Undercover agents as well as airline personnel should be assigned to observe and catch these criminals in the act and have them prosecuted for Larceny. If not, then Menzies should be held accountable since they handle ground ops at the airports!
Written by: Gringo_1, 20 Aug 2009 11:39 AM
From: Dominican Republic, Maimon (Bonao)
This is shocking, truly shocking!
Written by: oupala07 
, 20 Aug 2009 12:09 PM
From: Canada
Gringo_1,
It is more than shocking, and those military shouldn't receive only a slap on the wrist, but they should be dishonorably discharged from the army and stick hefty fine and prison term for tarnishing your armed forces good name.
In what world are we living my Lord? Who can you trust if you can't even have confidence in your own armed forces?
Written by: Juango, 20 Aug 2009 12:18 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
oupala, when in the DR, do as Dominicans do, ,,,do not trust anyone, anybody, ....no one, a nadie! Comprende? My motto, "Dont trust Anyone". It works well for me. btw, I believe there were two DNCD agents involved in this first roundup. Looking for Drugs, were they ??
Written by: juanb, 20 Aug 2009 1:26 PM
From: Dominican Republic
If the LF gets to decide the punishment, he either transfers them to another airport or makes them "luggage security advisors".
Written by: elbotin, 20 Aug 2009 1:43 PM
From: Dominican Republic
My bags have been looted several times at Puerto Plata airport. I have seen some guys with suitcases in their cars selling items right on the street in Sosua.
Written by: oupala07 , 20 Aug 2009 2:30 PM
From: Canada
Thanks a lot for the advice juango, but I don't think I'll be ready to visit your country soon: the anti Haitian emotions are too strong, and news like this one are not a big incentive either.
I think your government must have the gut to go after those corrupt individuals that are tarnishing the Dominican Republic good name. You have spent years to build yoursefves a good reputation around the world, and now you are letting a few black sheeps destroying it.
We have a lot of corrupt officials in Haiti, but not at that level. The police force has been cleaned and the few remaining thieves are under tight control.
You must retake control of the situation by enforcing your anti corruption laws, if not I don't think the Dominican republic will be able to live up to its reputation.
It's time to take the broom boys and to sweep the trash into the garbage can and to discard it into a compactor. If you don't do that you ain't going anywhere.
Written by: BASTA, 20 Aug 2009 3:25 PM
From: Dominican Republic, =Ghetto/Legalize Drugs
Make a statement LF that people who abuse their official positions will be punished = Do you hear Fernadie baby; arrest your self
Also, who is dumb enough to check in a laptop??? I do not;;;; but I have an IBM a31 which you can drop 1 meter on concrete and nothing will happen and will take beating day after day
From: Dominican Republic
It is a shame that a few thousand police and armed forces personel make it difficult for the other couple hundred forces personel who believe their job is to honour and protect their country.
Written by: Juango, 20 Aug 2009 4:11 PM
From: United States, far S. Florida (formerly Santo Domingo)
oupala, I do concur with your overview. It is time to sweep out the trash. However, just to correct your misconception, my country is the USA (and proud of it). My only ties to the DR were investments (no longer), and a few close friends. I do have a soft spot for beautiful DR, and hate to see what has happened over the past 10 years. I would like to reinvest, but do not feel that now is the time, far too much corruption and greed (too risky for me).
Written by: josean, 20 Aug 2009 4:31 PM
From: United States
Written by: juanb, 20 Aug 2009 1:26 PM
From: Dominican Republic
If the LF gets to decide the punishment, he either transfers them to another airport or makes them "luggage security advisors".
Excellent!
Written by: danny00, 20 Aug 2009 5:29 PM
From: United States
NO one likes to lose their luggage or have some one steal them in total.... no matter what country your in....YES its not good for TOURISM... these folks go home and for sure tell many others from their country what happen the dr....be punished even more severely or this will not stop.
when i travel whichs is very offen i NEED THE THINGS in MY LUGGAGE...., ITS A SICK FEELING AT THE LEAST., AND DONT FORGET THE INTERNET.... THESE FOLKS WILL TALK MUCH ABOUT THIS ON SOME SITE.... SO 1,000 GET TO SEE THIS.
Written by: danny00, 20 Aug 2009 5:33 PM
From: United States
AS VERONICA SAID........be punished even more severely or this will not stop.. ok! why? dont theses army guys take a OATH?..... WELL THEN THEY SHOULD BE PUT TO A VERY HARSH PUNISHED MENT MORE THEN THE ADVAGE CROOK ON THE STREET THIS CROOK DOES NOT TAKE A OATH OR IS IN THIS COUNTRY ARMED OFFICES IS HE?
Written by: danny00, 20 Aug 2009 5:39 PM
From: United States
JUANGO invest in what?... your investment is i would think is going into some small times mafia guys pocket....keep your money in your pocket.... not in any thing in the dr..... every ones going crazy down their for dollars they all want to make it over night and dont CARE who they steal from, and yes GRINGOS OR DOMINICANS ITS ALL JUST DOLLARS FOR THEM...
THEY DONT CARE..... maybe if a few of them get killed by some one they screwed then things might change.. MAYBE!
Written by: danny00, 20 Aug 2009 5:45 PM
From: United States
in puerto plata i never had any problems..... why?.. because i used to pay off the police at the airport.... so this way they had no reason to steal my luggage....i have been to many countries in my life.... never, never, never in any country did i get shaken down at one airpor... never, never, never.
only in puerto plata.....
keep up the good work..... cant wait to go to santo domingo and buy a $us300,000 condo... cant wait.... better i take my money and burn it before i ever do this...
From: United States, Fresh Water Paradise-NY Finger Lakes
This behaviour cannot go unpunished.
Ordinary citizens would have gone to jail, and this guys should get double, for he violated the public trust.
Written by: zak325, 20 Aug 2009 7:58 PM
From: United States
I'm not here to insult the nation or the decent people who live in it, but DAMN ! does the corruption ever end in the DR? I will be the first to admit that the U.S. is any thing but corruption free (here its done on a vastly larger scale) in th DR it seems anyone who has a government job or wears a uniform thinks they have a right to rob and pillage. This culture of "i'm gonna get mine" will destroy the DR faster than the increasing drug trafficking, both of these happening together will make it happen that much faster.
Written by: oupala07 , 20 Aug 2009 8:11 PM
From: Canada
Thanks a lot for the precision Juango.
From: Dominican Republic
If you want widespread corruption and power abuse from re-occuring again, then embrance the military dictatorship. The costly, corrupt, and inept Republic we got HAS FAILED! Abandon ship or let the strong hand navigate this sinking ship out of this mess!
From: Haiti
alumeeuse, amuseux?
Strange, they got a dominican at JFK for the samething. Is this a gang or waht? or, ...
Written by: leeleo, 20 Aug 2009 10:57 PM
From: United States
This time they were busted stealing from arriving passengers, very rare a one time tourists who leaves the country will claim their theft of belongings. I have visited the d.r. six times this year, a country i call 'my home away from home'. unfortunately i had two incedents of theft from my baggage upon departure, i know many other departing passengers who have been victemized too. cameras, video games, laptops, recorders, dvds....all kinds of electronics, in many cases they pry open the locks and adhere a false note that looks like the luggage has been checked for security. some expert scammers and thieves who don't realize that they are the first and last people a stranger will meet in a foreign land and that they must be the cream of the crop, shame,shame,shame.....unfortunately, they put the reputation of the country in the dump.
Written by: THINK, 20 Aug 2009 11:05 PM
From: United States, SDQ -- Mia --NY
The bottom line is:
How can we change people's mentality? Even the authority change the personnel again and again, but if the mentality not changed, it will be hard to stop the stealing.
I had lost few items during last few years, one brand new electronic shaver, one battery recharging unit, few perfumes....etc. So., now I put electronic items, expensive gifts in my carry-on case.
From: United States
I do not think is something new that law enforcement in the Dominican Republic been doing this for a while now. We do not even have honest people working in the law enforcement field. What we need to do it is go get all of this people out of their position and star fresh, probably star hiring outside help such as the Blackwater and DynCorp. Anyway The country is doing bad cause with do not have a hard government.
Thank You
Andrickson ALix
Written by: pelaut, 21 Aug 2009 8:25 AM
From: United States
BS!
This has been going on for 25 years I've been here. I never check baggage because of it.
For them to segregate an entire container 'in a warehouse' for several days takes complicity of the personnel of the handlers' union, the civil airport authority, the airlines (yes, Iberia ground people), the warehouse company or its watchmen, and all stripes of police/military that have respective duties all over the damned place. That means the administration officials in any unit that spans any two or more of these groups, which means just about everyone all the way up gets something out of it (a camera for the kids at Christmas?).
BS!
And they name ONE GUY????
From: Dominican Republic
CARRY ON ONLY....if "they" want to see what's in my bag, I open it and allow them to search it in front of me......once I get off that plane, I treat everyone like a ladrone until I arrive at my place....
Written by: oupala07 , 21 Aug 2009 2:35 PM
From: Canada
Jesus!! It's really scary what is being said on this blog so far. How come a country, I have always respected for my Dominican's friend good name and memory, can fall so low administratively? I don't think I will ever take the chance to pay a visit overthere, for with my kind of temper, I would have been either mobbed or shot rather quickly.
I sincerily wish you good luck Quisqueyanos. I can't imagine how you're gonna get rid yourself of that corruption cancer that is chewing the foundation of your society.
Written by: xwill7, 21 Aug 2009 3:07 PM
From: United States, Chicago
oupala,
you just have to be mas tigere than the next guy
Written by: cejay, 23 Aug 2009 8:01 PM
From: United States, Miami, Florida
I just got back from Santo Domingo after 2 weeks being there and nothing stolen from bags-thank godness. But never put a laptop in your luggage-always carry it with you!!
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Now is when those involved should be prosecuted and punished even harsher than a normal theif on the streets. Make a statement LF that people who abuse their official positions will be punished even more severely or this will not stop.
Also, who is dumb enough to check in a laptop??? The way baggage carriers throw your luggage the laptop would suffer some damage.
It is more than shocking, and those military shouldn't receive only a slap on the wrist, but they should be dishonorably discharged from the army and stick hefty fine and prison term for tarnishing your armed forces good name.
In what world are we living my Lord? Who can you trust if you can't even have confidence in your own armed forces?
I think your government must have the gut to go after those corrupt individuals that are tarnishing the Dominican Republic good name. You have spent years to build yoursefves a good reputation around the world, and now you are letting a few black sheeps destroying it.
We have a lot of corrupt officials in Haiti, but not at that level. The police force has been cleaned and the few remaining thieves are under tight control.
You must retake control of the situation by enforcing your anti corruption laws, if not I don't think the Dominican republic will be able to live up to its reputation.
It's time to take the broom boys and to sweep the trash into the garbage can and to discard it into a compactor. If you don't do that you ain't going anywhere.
Also, who is dumb enough to check in a laptop??? I do not;;;; but I have an IBM a31 which you can drop 1 meter on concrete and nothing will happen and will take beating day after day
From: Dominican Republic
If the LF gets to decide the punishment, he either transfers them to another airport or makes them "luggage security advisors".
Excellent!
when i travel whichs is very offen i NEED THE THINGS in MY LUGGAGE...., ITS A SICK FEELING AT THE LEAST., AND DONT FORGET THE INTERNET.... THESE FOLKS WILL TALK MUCH ABOUT THIS ON SOME SITE.... SO 1,000 GET TO SEE THIS.
THEY DONT CARE..... maybe if a few of them get killed by some one they screwed then things might change.. MAYBE!
only in puerto plata.....
keep up the good work..... cant wait to go to santo domingo and buy a $us300,000 condo... cant wait.... better i take my money and burn it before i ever do this...
Ordinary citizens would have gone to jail, and this guys should get double, for he violated the public trust.
Strange, they got a dominican at JFK for the samething. Is this a gang or waht? or, ...
How can we change people's mentality? Even the authority change the personnel again and again, but if the mentality not changed, it will be hard to stop the stealing.
I had lost few items during last few years, one brand new electronic shaver, one battery recharging unit, few perfumes....etc. So., now I put electronic items, expensive gifts in my carry-on case.
Thank You
Andrickson ALix
This has been going on for 25 years I've been here. I never check baggage because of it.
For them to segregate an entire container 'in a warehouse' for several days takes complicity of the personnel of the handlers' union, the civil airport authority, the airlines (yes, Iberia ground people), the warehouse company or its watchmen, and all stripes of police/military that have respective duties all over the damned place. That means the administration officials in any unit that spans any two or more of these groups, which means just about everyone all the way up gets something out of it (a camera for the kids at Christmas?).
BS!
And they name ONE GUY????
I sincerily wish you good luck Quisqueyanos. I can't imagine how you're gonna get rid yourself of that corruption cancer that is chewing the foundation of your society.
you just have to be mas tigere than the next guy