Santiago.-The Public Prosecutor’s Office filed with the Permanent Attention Court of the Santiago judicial district the request for coercive measures against those involved in Operation XL526, an investigation that dismantled an alleged criminal network dedicated to fraud, extortion, and money laundering with victims in the United States, while lawyers for the detainees report alleged irregularities and obstacles to exercising their defense.
According to the preliminary indictment, the structure operated from the municipal district of San Francisco de Jacagua and used threats, technological tools, and even the simulation of belonging to drug cartels to intimidate and extort U.S. citizens, generating illicit economic benefits that were subsequently laundered through various operations.
The file identifies Carlos José Parra Languar, Eliardo Peña Almonte, Renso Darío González Almonte, Josiel Pichardo Cabrera, and Walinton Sosa Almonte as the alleged ringleaders of the organization. In addition, other defendants identified as operational members of the alleged criminal network are listed.
While the Public Prosecutor’s Office advances in consolidating the case file, defense attorneys stated that they have not yet been formally notified of the coercion request nor have they had full access to the evidence supporting the accusation.
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Lawyer Kilvio González, legal representative for Danny Rafael Laguar Ferreira, rejected his client’s connection to the alleged organization and stated that they will prove his innocence during the judicial process.
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“We understand that in due course we will prove that he has absolutely nothing to do with this situation,” expressed González, who also indicated that, according to unofficial information, the Public Prosecutor’s Office would be requesting preventive detention for at least 11 of the 20 detainees.
The defense also questioned the limitations on communicating with the defendants. González stated that he was unable to meet properly with his client due to restrictions at the detention center.
Likewise, lawyer José Reynoso García denounced alleged violations of due process, claiming that the detainees were transferred between different detention centers, hindering access for lawyers and timely knowledge of the charges.
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“The justice system cannot violate the deadlines established by law, because that time is fundamental to prepare the defense of the accused citizens,” he stated.
Operation XL526 was executed simultaneously in the Santiago and Puerto Plata provinces, where 20 people accused of being part of the criminal structure were arrested.
Authorities maintain that the network operated a sophisticated transnational fraud scheme focused on U.S. citizens.
It is expected that in the coming hours the Permanent Attention Court of Santiago will set the hearing to consider the request for a coercive measure, in a case that puts under scrutiny the operations of cybercrime and international extortion that, according to investigations, had communities in the northern region of the country as their center of operations.
