Raid nets vehicles in Colombia cartel-Dominican preacher case

Santo Domingo.- The Justice Ministry’s anti-money laundering unit on Wednesday said it seized four vehicles allegedly owned by a network which operated in the country in complicity with the Colombia’s Úsuga cartel, and used "pseudo Protestants pastors" to launder money.

Quoted by diariolibre.com, Unit director Germán Miranda said the vehicles were seized in raids in Moca, in properties allegedly owned by Jorge Mercedes Cedeño being held in Colombia in connection with the case, and who has flown to that country at least 12 times, reportedly on church work.

He noted that in addition to Moca raids have been conducted in La Romana, San Pedro and Higuey, all in the east region.

The only person detained in the country in conection with this case has been Eliseo Mercedes Rodriguez, who was later released but still under investigation and would be questioned this week, the official said.

"We’ve already identified other properties, criminal identification equipment assets of our office has identified other properties that we are only waiting for the case to mature and develop in order to proceed," Miranda said.