In an act headed by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, Víctor -ito- Bisonó, and the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, the incineration of 11,275,512 units was made Illicit merchandise which were confiscated between May 23 and August 6, 2025.
According to the official data, the seizures were executed through operations carried out mainly by the specialized fuel control body and merchandise trade (CECCOM), throughout the national territory.
During his speech, Minister Bisonó stressed that this effort is part of a sustained policy and that this activity in the call “zero zone of the illicit“In Quita Dream of Haina, San Cristóbal province, gives continuity to similar actions executed in May of this year.
On this occasion, within the plus 11 million units of seized products, more than 4 million illegal cigarettes confiscated in a single operation in La Vega are being destroyed, as well as large amounts of adulterated alcoholhazardous medications and falsified tobacco that affects the image of the pure Dominican.
Bisonó stressed the importance of protecting intellectual propertythe identity of the brands and health of citizens.
In addition, he stressed that one of the seized medications is pursued internationally for its lethal effectsand that was found in Puerto Plata, where even a minor was used for illegal marketing.
“President Luis Abinader has given clear instructions since the beginning of his management so that this fight against the illicit Be firm, constant and with tangible results, “said Bisonó.
- He also thanked the coordinated work of institutions such as Attorney General’s OfficeProconsumor, Public Health, Customs, the National Police and, especially, the Armed Forces, whose participation has been fundamental through its different units, including the Specialized Border Security Corps (Cesfront), SECOM and intelligence agencies.
“We currently have 26 cases that are prosecuted, who are in court, with 35 people who are subject to coercion, four of them keeping Preventive prison This year, “said Procurator Jonathan Baró.
He also said that: “We have strengthened considerably thanks to the Public-Private Alliance. Now we not only act reactively – for example, when a truck loaded with cigarettes is stopped – but also proactively. Our agents use special techniques established in the Criminal Procedure Code, and we are judicializing many more cases in collaboration with specialized prosecutors and agents. “
Other alternatives
Before the question that, if alternatives such as recycling instead of total destruction have been evaluated, without affecting the Public Security? The attorney said that Law 17-19 on Illicit trade It establishes the destruction of these products, since many are not suitable for human consumption.
“How are we going to donate a adulterated alcohol or cigarettes that do not meet legal standards? In addition, they would represent unfair competition for those who do pay taxes, “he said.
He said these four items –adulterated alcoholillegal cigarettes, counterfeit medications and expired products – cannot be donated under any circumstances.
However, in cases of intellectual propertyhe said that it is possible to donate some products, provided that the brand’s authorization is available. This is already being done from the Public Ministry, although it is not published in the press for confidentiality reasons.
Next, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, Minister of Defense, reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces in the daily combat A The illicit throughout the national territory.
“It is our responsibility to guarantee The fight against the illicit To continue the development carried by the Dominican nation. It is a commitment of each of the men of the Armed Forces, strengthening every day, fully fulfilling our missions, in this case to the table of illicit, “said the Minister of Defense.
Both officials agreed that these types of actions send a clear message: In the Dominican Republic the well done is protectedthe law is respected and trust for investment and economic growth is strengthened.
