NewsWhore
10-27-2009, 05:10 PM
Dominican military personnel have demolished several illegal charcoal producing ovens in Jimani where Dominican and Haitian gangs have gone into the business of producing charcoal, which is sold for a profit over the border in Haiti. General Francisco Ovalle Pichardo (G2 Army intelligence division), who led the brigades, said yesterday that Dominican environmental laws are vague in this regard, which makes it easy for gangs to continue engaging in the practice. He said: "If there are no penalties, there is no way to control this crime. We have to work on this."
He told Listin Diario reporters that the "Charcoal Cartels," are now placing barriers and traps in roadways that lead to the ovens in order to impede the progress of police, military and environmental officials. He stressed that searching out these cartels is expensive and the Dominican public needs to become aware of the serious consequences. He said there is also pressure from residents in the border area who are also using charcoal for cooking.
Listin Diario points out that the sale of three sacks of charcoal yields more than the monthly wage of a Dominican forest ranger, and goes on to highlight the high profitability of the charcoal smuggling business, comparing it even to drug and weapons smuggling. A sack of charcoal sells for up to RD$1,500 in Haiti.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)
He told Listin Diario reporters that the "Charcoal Cartels," are now placing barriers and traps in roadways that lead to the ovens in order to impede the progress of police, military and environmental officials. He stressed that searching out these cartels is expensive and the Dominican public needs to become aware of the serious consequences. He said there is also pressure from residents in the border area who are also using charcoal for cooking.
Listin Diario points out that the sale of three sacks of charcoal yields more than the monthly wage of a Dominican forest ranger, and goes on to highlight the high profitability of the charcoal smuggling business, comparing it even to drug and weapons smuggling. A sack of charcoal sells for up to RD$1,500 in Haiti.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#3)