Dominican authorities seize illegal cigars and alcohol in La Altagracia

Dominican authorities conducted a series of operations in the municipality of Higüey and the district of La Otra Banda, in the province of La Altagracia, seizing merchandise valued at over RD$40 million. The crackdown targeted products involved in counterfeiting, smuggling, and the sale of goods lacking required sanitary registrations.

The seizure included 76,859 premium cigars, 2,549 bottles of mamajuana, and 8,518 rings used to counterfeit premium cigar brands. The operations were carried out by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs (MICM), the Specialized Body for the Control of Merchandise Trade (CECCOM), and the General Directorate of Medicines, Food and Sanitary Products (DIGEMAPS), with support from the Dominican Army and the Public Ministry.

Minister Eduardo ‘Yayo’ Sanz Lovatón described the seizure as a significant blow to networks falsifying tobacco products, which are vital to the national economy and identity. Authorities noted that these illicit activities cause significant tax evasion and pose health risks to consumers, though they highlighted that no fatalities from adulterated alcohol have been recorded in the country since 2022.