On 30 May 1988, the Congress of the Dominican Republic adopted Law 50-88 on Narcotic Drugs. Under this act, possession of any amount of cannabis is a punishable offence, classified according to the amount of drugs found in its possession. [1] One of the advantages of Dominican criminal organizations was that there were already hundreds of thousands of their relatives in the states, especially in major eastern cities such as New York and Washington, D.C. Gradually, Dominican gangs began to establish control over drug distribution in cities like these, as well as Allentown and Reading, Pennsylvania and New Haven, Connecticut. In New York City, in the South Bronx and near Washington Heights, they became known for their heavy gang activity in the Dominican Republic. A total of 54 cities in the eastern United States report Dominican gang activity, and one of their current activities was the trafficking and sale of cocaine, heroin and other drugs. A multidisciplinary commission supervises the treatment and rehabilitation of persons arrested for simple possession of illicit drugs and drug addicts or dependents (adictos o fã¡rmacos-dependientes) (arts. 53, 54). And of course, whenever medicines are shipped across a country, it is always possible to shave a little for the local population. While the Caribbean has long been a major conduit for cocaine arriving in the United States, the amount of this drug that passed into the hands of the Dominican Republic increased by 800% between 2011 and 2013.

If young people stay away from drugs, drug addiction and human trafficking, an entire culture can begin to heal as these young people grow to become adults. Those found guilty of owning more than one pound are considered traffickers. The minimum penalty is five years in prison and a fine of 50,000 Dominican pesos, with a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison. [1] Traffickers must pay a fine of at least the value of the controlled drugs seized or participation in the operation, but in no case less than 50,000 Dominican pesos. [1] The U.S. Department of State`s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) works to keep Americans safe at home by combating international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. The INL helps countries create justice and equity by strengthening their police, judicial and prison systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S.

shores. Those who grow more than one pound of marijuana seeds or more than a quarter pound of other plants from which illegal drugs can be manufactured are considered traffickers and can be sentenced to five to 20 years in prison and a minimum penalty of 50,000 pesos (art. 64). Penalties are reduced if the number of factories is less than 20, at least two years in prison and a fine of 2,000 pesos (ibid.). The law in the Dominican Republic does not distinguish between recreational and medical marijuana: the drug is illegal for all purposes, currently in line with much of the rest of the Caribbean. Property used for the cultivation, production, transport and storage of illicit drugs, as well as property and money acquired through the „illicit trafficking“ of illicit drugs, may be confiscated (arts. 33, 34). The accused are divided into one of three legal categories, depending on the amount of drugs found in their possession. The penalties correspond to each of the three categories and are currently fixed. [1] Local attitudes towards the LGBT community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. Although same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Dominican Republic, same-sex marriages are not legally recognized. Public expressions of affection can attract unwanted and negative attention.

Almost all Dominican hotels welcome LGBT guests, although confirmation with booking agents is recommended. Read this page of information and tips for the LGBT community before you travel. However, while almost every other Caribbean country is currently considering reforming their marijuana laws to at least legalize medical use — and second, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have already done so — the Dominican Republic is unable to reform its laws. Only Cuba and Haiti have no plans to start transporting marijuana. But prohibition efforts began to suppress Colombian operations. Colombian drug cartels have begun to hand over much of the transportation and sale of their drugs to other groups. Since some of the Atlantic shipping routes previously used by Colombian speedboats were heavily guarded, Mexican drug traffickers took over much of the transport cargo and transported the drug overland or along the eastern Pacific. Think of the Caribbean and you`ll probably conjure up an image of the laid-back Rastafarian culture where marijuana is freely passed on among friends. Thanks to the huge quantities of drugs smuggled into the region as it flows north to South America, cannabis is highly illegal on almost every Caribbean island, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. Dominicans are often among those arrested for trying to smuggle drugs into Spain.

In fact, Dominican drug traffickers have gained prominence on this European channel in recent years, and in the number of people arrested are the second most common Spanish citizens. Class three offenders are considered traffickers and can serve a sentence of five to twenty years in prison and pay a fine equal to the equivalent of the drugs seized, but not less than RD$50,000. CBD oil is considered a cannabis product and is therefore illegal in the Dominican Republic, like all other cannabis products. The prohibition also applies to foreigners, including for medical purposes. The law in the Dominican Republic also recognizes category four crimes for those who are considered financiers or suppliers in drug trafficking, for which the penalty is thirty years in prison, plus a fine equal to the value of the drug and no less than 1 million dollars rd. For bringing illicit drugs into the Dominican Republic for the purpose of international trade, five to 30 years in prison and a minimum sentence of 250,000 pesos (art. 59). In addition, in 2004, the Dominican government found that the majority of drugs that entered the country came from Haiti by land. The cargoes would then be transported by sea or air to other areas. Very often, Dominican gangs move their shipments to Puerto Rico and not directly to the United States, as shipments from Puerto Rico to the United States are not considered international shipments and are not verified as thoroughly. In collaboration with GODR, INL supported the establishment of a central emergency system with call centres in Santo Domingo in 2014 and Santiago in 2017.

The 911 system`s emergency response measures now serve more than 90% of the country`s population and have resulted in a significant decrease in crime wherever it is active. As of May 2020, GODR has supported direct system support. Public expressions of affection (such as holding hands or kissing) between opposite-sex or same-sex couples are rare. It is true that you are likely to be approached by locals who want you to buy their products. But they are good people who have their own families to feed. They will try to sell you things for more than you should pay. But if you are satisfied with your negotiated price and they are happy, then everyone is happy! Article 10 of the Act provides for the establishment of a National Directorate for Drug Control (Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas DNCD). The role of the DNCD is to oversee the implementation of the Dominican Republic`s drug policy and the enforcement of the Drug Act, including investigating violations of Law No. 50-88 and preparing their cases for prosecution (Art. 10.3). Under art.

By law, the DNCD is subordinate to a board of directors appointed by the President of the Republic, composed of representatives of the following bodies: the Presidency of the Republic; the armed forces or the national police; the State Secretariat for Public Health and Social Assistance; the Secretariat of State for Foreign Affairs and the Catholic Church of the Dominican Republic. Article 12 of the Act stipulates that the Department of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs of the National Police is subordinate to the DNCD. DNCD staff must be trained at the Drug Control Academy of the Dominican Republic (Art. 13). DNCD personnel, whether military, police or civilian, must be in possession of identity cards and carnets (Carnets y Placas) identifying them as such and may be equipped with firearms (art. 15, 16). For „simple possession“, a term of imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of 1,500 to 2,500 pesos (art. 75).

Dominican Republic. 1988. „Ley Nr. 50-88“. [From the website of the United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention] [Accessed May 5, 2001] Don`t believe what some snobs at the resort tell you in terms of safety. Punta Cana is one of the safest vacation spots in the Caribbean. The security of the hotel is top notch! There is even a special department of the police department called POLITUR, which is dedicated to the safety of tourists.