The battle for sand: Murders, impunity and environmental destruction
a day ago
- #Dominican-Republic
- #organized-crime
- #environmental-destruction
- Illegal sand and gravel extraction in the Dominican Republic is controlled by mafia-like groups, leading to environmental destruction and lack of state control.
- The Nizao River is severely affected by over-excavation, causing ecological damage and threatening water security.
- Violence and intimidation are common, with activists, journalists, and officials facing threats, extortion, and even murder.
- Legal loopholes and corruption enable illegal mining, with some politicians and officials allegedly complicit.
- The illegal sand trade generates around $1 billion annually, undercutting legal businesses and evading taxes.
- Ecological impacts include river depletion, contamination, and threats to agriculture, leading to potential human displacement.
- Government efforts to combat illegal mining are hampered by low budgets, lack of personnel, and organized crime.