Monday, Me Francisco René, the Chief of Parquet, confirmed the arrest of Vanel Pierre-Louis, Director of the service of admissibility to the General Administration of Customs (AGD), following his hearing in connection with the investigation opened on September 23, 2013, at the request of Fresnel Jean Baptiste, Director General of the AGD on the irregular clearance and disappearance of 3 containers, whom we know nothing about the content so far...

Monday, the activities of the Customs Service were severely affected, many customs officersprotested against the arrest of their colleagues, demanding their immediate release and threatening to paralyze the functioning of the Customs Administration and the continuation of their movement in the various regional agencies of the AGD, if they do not get satisfaction. The customs officers point out the responsibility of the Director Jean Baptiste, that they accuse of wrongdoing saying that it's him that should be pursued in this case.

For his part, Fresnel Jean Baptiste condemns the violent actions of customs officers, who attempting Saturday of sabotaging computer and electrical systems of the Administration, and the threats against the judge Lamarre Bélizaire, responsible for the instruction of the investigation. He reminded customs officers protesters, that it is to the judicial authorities to shed light on the disappearance of these containers.

Until the tension drop and the resumption of normal activities, these are the tradespeople who are held in because of the delay in clearance of goods necessary for their activities.

SL/ HaitiLibre