NewsWhore
02-09-2012, 12:50 PM
According to statistics from 2011, more than two thousand illegal trips were detected and the estimated benefits for the organizers were said to be more than RD$2 billion. In addition, out of each 100 travelers, 76 were men and 24 were women, including pregnant and disabled. All this takes place despite the fact that the preparation and organization of the trips has taken new twists and turns, after the United States authorities intensified their actions and toughened prison sentences for the violators. They work in cooperation with the Dominican Navy and the recidivists are sentenced for federal crimes. Diario Libre says that last September, the authorities thwarted 36 trips to Puerto Rico and averaged 17 arrests a month, which over the year added up to 204 cases. The organizers always collect their money upfront and they no longer go on the trips. In a boat with a capacity of 90 people, each one paying between RD$35,000 and RD$40,000 and foreigners between US$2000 and US$3000, produces profits of about US$225,000.
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More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#10)