Since Tuesday afternoon, this coastal town in the province La Altagracia is located under military surveillance and police due to the demonstrations organized by community members in support of municipal director Enriquillo Luis Brito and his son Enrique José Luis Brito, who were detained in the Operation Panthera 7in which an international network was detected that supposedly introduced the shipment of 9.8 tons of cocaine seized last December.
Under the motto “Dear Enriquillo, the people are with you”, and with banners and banging pots and pans, residents took to the streets to defend the innocence of the official.
As part of the proteststhe associations that operate the boats They stopped them until today.
Following the decision of the Bayahibe Water Transport Association (Astramarba) and the Asplaba excursion agency, hundreds of boats They remain detained on the shore of the beach.
Despite the mobilizationsthe people maintain the calmand until yesterday no unusual incidents had been reported.
Despite this, the provision of the National Police In Bayahibe, the number of agents has tripled to be prepared for any eventuality. Furthermore, he has received reinforcement of Special Operations units (Lince) sent from Santo Domingo to provide additional support.
In addition, military of the Army remained deployed in the beach area due to rumors that some transporters could set fire boats as part of their protests. However, as of yesterday, no incident of this type had been reported in the area.
Flag at half mast at the Municipal Palace
In turn, the employees from the Municipal Palace of Bayahibe they raised the flag of the town hall at half mast as a sign of protestuntil the authorities decide on Brito’s judicial situation.
The workers reported that the members of the Chapter House of the Municipal Palace decided to maintain the flag at half mast as a sign of their “pain” and until its owner returns.
Work at the site continues without interruptions, at least basic services.
“He doesn’t have a tail to step on”
Henry Ventura, councilor of Bayahibe, expressed that he fully trusts the innocence of Enriquillo Britowhom he described as a person of integrity who “has no tail to step on.”
Ventura assured that the municipal director “has never been involved in acts illicit“and expressed his hope that his alleged involvement in the case will soon be clarified.
“This is simply a misunderstanding of justice and we are waiting for this problem to be resolved,” he added.
They accuse him of money laundering
During a trespass carried out by the authorities last weekend, as part of the Operation Panthera 7HE seized of the detainees cash, including thousands of dollars, pesos and euros. In addition, other foreign banknotes whose origin was not justified, according to the application document measure of coercion.
Among the belongings found there are passports with American visa, real estate purchase and sale contracts and leases, documents related to properties, arms of fire without legal documentation, bank books and a safe with various evidence.
It is also seized of arms firearms, including a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle, and a 9 mm pistol; several jewelrywatches from well-known brands, and electronic devices, such as laptopscell phones and cameras. Also, high-end vehicles.
The authorities issued a search alert for two men whom they link to Operation Panthera 7. The fugitives are identified as José Alexander Santana Andújar, alias Alex, and Luis Rafael García Alfonseca, alias el Duartero.
Court orders were issued against both and they are required to respond to charges related to the seized drug shipment.
Investigations by the Public Ministry into the alleged international drug trafficking and money laundering network showed that the network would have moved more than 200 million dollars.
Today, the Permanent Care Office of Sto. Dgo. This will hear the request for a coercive measure against José Nicolás Castillo Hart, alias “Nikito”; Winston Armando Tejera Rodríguez, alias “Barbikin”; Cristian Rayner Canela Aybar; Nelson Neftalí Mercedes Lugo; Dulvi Jesús De los Santos; Enriquillo Luis Brito and Enrique José Luis Brito. The Public Ministry requests 18 months of preventive detention and that the case be declared complex.
