Caught red handed on security video tapes has seen 15 inspectors fired for allegedly extorting money from passengers at Dominican Airports, and we are not just talking about the extortionate prices for a Presidente Beer either! The big boss of Immigration, Director Carlos Armante is not at all pleased with this conduct from his Department.The information was supplied by the security company Dominican 21st Century Airports (Aerodom) and includes several videos showing inspectors asking for money from passengers.
As well as the inspectors there are 11 National Investigations Departments (DNI) and 8 National Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) people invloved, who would have ben fired also, they too have been caught by closed circuit cameras in "unspecified activities".
In addition to the Immigration dismissals, the directos of the DNCD Rafael Ramirez and DNI Director Sigfrido Pared have instead ordered the transfers and suspension of the other agents.
However according to national Dominican Newspaper Diario Libre, within the next few hours dismissals could continue because the list of inspectors and the military being caught accepting or demanding money from airport passengers is very long.
The investigative probe on extortion in the Customs and Immigration areas includes people in the departure as well as arrival sections of the airports and also involves other agencies such as the Military Intelligence and the Specialized Airport Security Corp otherwise known as CESA.
