In a significant move to address the evolving challenges of drug trafficking, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in the Dominican Republic has launched the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Illicit Drug Trafficking. This initiative, spearheaded by Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso, aims to enhance the nation’s capacity to dismantle drug trafficking and money laundering networks, seize illegal assets, and mitigate criminal activities that threaten public safety. The establishment of this unit, authorized under Article 53 of Law 133-11 by the Superior Council of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, builds on a strategy that has already yielded historic successes in drug seizures, micro-trafficking operations, and international collaboration.
Attorney General Reynoso highlighted the necessity of this specialized office in response to the increasingly sophisticated nature of criminal networks. She pointed out that traditional prosecution methods are inadequate in tackling modern trafficking, which leverages digital platforms, global distribution systems, and advanced techniques to hide illicit profits. The new unit will prioritize anticipating emerging trends, tracking digital assets, and fostering real-time international cooperation. By doing so, it aims to fortify the Dominican Republic’s ability to counter contemporary threats posed by synthetic drugs and cryptocurrency-based money laundering, ensuring a more robust and adaptive approach to combating drug trafficking.