MOST FUGITIVES FACE NARCOTICS CHARGES, REPORT SAYS

SANTO DOMINGO.- Nearly 1,000 people accused to breaking Law 50-88 on
narcotics in the National District are fugitives, an Office of the
Prosecutor report says.

It set the total number of fugitives since 2009 to date at
1,281.

During the January-December 2009 period, 886 defendants were declared
fugitive, after failing to appear in the judicial process against
them. Of those, 617 are involved in drug trafficking, or 69.6%.

Also, of the 79 accused, 53 face murder charges (6%), 29 for domestic
violence, 27 for forgery, and 18 for grand theft auto, eight for
sexual crimes, among others.

The report says 395 defendants in various crimes have been declared in
contempt of court so far this year, 295 of those for violating Law
50-88 on Drugs.

There are also 21 charged with theft, 17 with homicide, 14 with
forgery, nine with statutory rape, seven with sexual crimes, six with
auto theft and five with electrical fraud, among others.

The Office of the Prosecutor adds that 75% of the fugitives are for
drug trafficking.