Police in Duarte orient merchants on new Penal Code provisions

General Orison Olivence Minaya, director of the Northeast Regional Directorate of the National Police, met with members of the Chamber of Commerce and Production of Duarte Province to discuss the new Dominican Penal Code.

The meeting focused on Article 227 of Law No. 74-25, which addresses the trade of stolen or illicit goods. Under this provision, individuals who sell, exchange, pawn, or traffic in stolen items—whether new or used—face prison sentences ranging from five to ten years and fines between twenty and thirty public sector minimum wages.

Police officials emphasized the need for merchants in sectors such as jewelry, pharmacies, construction, and vehicle sales to verify the origin of second-hand merchandise to avoid criminal consequences. The initiative aims to prevent commercial entities from inadvertently participating in illegal trade through proactive legal orientation.