After the blocking of the General Administration of Customs (AGD) of port activities since Monday, October 14, following an investigation initiated on 23 September, at the request of Fresnel Jean Baptiste, Director General of the AGD on the irregular clearance and disappearance of 3 containers, whose one does not know their location and content so far, Wilson Laleau, Minister of Economy and Finance has Monday a fruitful meeting with the striking employees.

Following the discussions the two sides agreed on the need to work together to find a happy solution to the situation, which paralyzes the AGD for almost two weeks and they have adopted the following provisions :

1) The immediate resumption of activities to the ADG from this Tuesday, October 22, 2013;

2) The formation of a Commission of administrative investigation to determine responsibilities in the corruption case involving customs officials. This committee will be composed of a representative of the General Inspectorate of Finance, a representative of the directorate of of the tax inspection, a representative of the Unit of fight against corruption and an employee of the AGD;

3) During the investigation, the employees will exercise restraint and discipline in the exercise of their functions. For its part, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will not exercise any form of retaliation against protesters.

Recall that in this cases 2 of 3 executives arrested, Harold Guillaume, Head of Service (Arrested Friday, October 11) and Pierre-Louis Vanel Director of Service of receivability at AGD (arrested Monday, October 14) as part of the investigation were released after hearing by the Cabinet of Instruction. According to our information Hérald Préval, Division Chief, arrested Friday, October 14 is still at the disposition of the court. Note that beyond these 3 executives, 2drivers, a warehouse keeper and the businessman Philippe Victor Châtelain (Arrested Tuesday, October 15) were arrested, suspected of diversion of 3 containers from the United States who have been cleared in the name of the company Chatelain Cargo Service. The investigation continues...

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-9658-haiti-justice-customs-severely-disrupted.html

S/ SL/ HaïtiLibre