Santo Domingo

[QUOTE=Revere; 1290086]I just wanted to post this article that was in Dominican Today. Be careful everyone:

Santo Domingo- The United States warned its citizens traveling to Dominican Republic on increasing robberies of visitors entering the country through Las Americas Airport.

On its Website the State Department says criminals impersonating police arrest travelers along several roads after leaving the airport, where they are assaulted at gunpoint in their vehicles and their valuables stolen."In some cases, travelers who stay in private homes rather than hotels are followed to where they'll stay and robbed as they enter the premises."

The State Department also notes that "while no USA citizens have been killed during these robberies, the USA Embassy has received reports of several injuries."

It adds that such incidents have occurred at night, either in private vehicles or taxis."It's unclear how the victims are spotted within the terminal. USA citizens arriving at Las Americas Airport should take the necessary precautions, or consider scheduling arrival times during daylight hours."

I just want to add this incident that happened to me a couple of weeks ago when I was in Santo Domingo. I was driving up to my hotel at 3:00am at the Hotel Marina. Two police in uniform rode up on me in a motorcycle. What struck me was that even though they were in police uniform they were on a old motorcycle not the traditional motor bike that police ride around on. Also, they were not wearing the traditional black vests that the real police wear. They could have been fake police. Anyway, the gate opens with security at my hotel there is a staredown between all of us no words exchanged and they drive off. Security says that did not look good at all. I left it alone, but I did not feel right about them. Just be careful everyone.[/QUOTE]In case one has to declare money which is the case when you bring more than 10000 dollars you can be sure that this information will be immediately passed to criminals wheter in uniform or not.

[QUOTE=Berthold;1290101]In case one has to declare money which is the case when you bring more than 10000 dollars you can be sure that this information will be immediately passed to criminals wheter in uniform or not.[/QUOTE]Excellent point! I did not think of that.

[QUOTE=Revere;1290102]Excellent point! I did not think of that.[/QUOTE]Only an idiot would declare he has that much money on him. You would be lucky to make it in or out the states much less a third world country.

[QUOTE=Revere; 1290086]I just wanted to post this article that was in Dominican Today. Be careful everyone:

Santo Domingo- The United States warned its citizens traveling to Dominican Republic on increasing robberies of visitors entering the country through Las Americas Airport.

On its Website the State Department says criminals impersonating police arrest travelers along several roads after leaving the airport, where they are assaulted at gunpoint in their vehicles and their valuables stolen."In some cases, travelers who stay in private homes rather than hotels are followed to where they'll stay and robbed as they enter the premises."[/QUOTE]Good post. When guys on a motorcycle try to pull you over, try to stop in an area with lights (if it is nighttime) and an area that has other people (gas station, hotel, in front of stores or other businesses). Some real Policia Nacional try to shake down drivers and they prefer to do it where it is dark. Guys impersonating police or military stopping cars will also prefer to attempt their thievery in a dark area of a road.

For the flights that arrive very late, lots of businesses are closed along the route into santo domingo and usually not a lot of other drivers out on the roads at a late hour.

More than likely I wouldn't pull over right away if the area was dark, with no other people around, I would try to continue to drive until I found a somewhat safer area to stop. Generally late at night a tourist driving safely, obeying all laws, there should be no legitimate reason to be pulled over, so more than likely any attempted stop by guys on motorcycles is for unlawful purposes.

809-221-2171 have this number stored in your cell (Embassy of the United States in Santo Domingo, they will answer the call).

"If you have an emergency involving the death, arrest or hospitalization of an American citizen, or a missing American citizen, please call 809-221-2171. When the prompts ask you to enter the extension, enter 0 and tell the operator you have an emergency."

[url]http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/acs-e-contact.html[/url]

[QUOTE=Alex Deuce;1290117]Only an idiot would declare he has that much money on him. You would be lucky to make it in or out the states much less a third world country.[/QUOTE]Alex I agree with you on third world countries, but not the United States. I cannot believe those custom officers you meet coming back in are on the take. No way. Also, if you are bringing goods into Santo Domingo you have to declare goods you are bringing in as they might ask you to run your bags through the machines. You guys are the experts, but what happens if you do not declare goods when you come in and they catch you. I think Brazil it is over $750.00 you have to declare. There is a fine right. So, I think you might have people who are honest and write it down and as Berthold said someone passes that information on to someone.

[QUOTE=Revere;1290125]Alex I agree with you on third world countries, but not the United States. I cannot believe those custom officers you meet coming back in are on the take. No way. Also, if you are bringing goods into Santo Domingo you have to declare goods you are bringing in as they might ask you to run your bags through the machines. You guys are the experts, but what happens if you do not declare goods when you come in and they catch you. I think Brazil it is over $750.00 you have to declare. There is a fine right. So, I think you might have people who are honest and write it down and as Berthold said someone passes that information on to someone.[/QUOTE]For the DR, some of the customs rules are on the back of the smaller of the two forms you have to fill out (when entering and exiting the Dom Rep). I believe I read in the past a foreigner is allowed to bring in about $500US worth of gifts for each 6 month period. There is a time period at the end of December to the beginning part of January where Dominicans (and maybe foreigners) are allowed to bring in a certain amount of gifts and not pay duty (Christmas holidays).

If you buy gifts for people, put the receipt in your luggage, if the total paid for all the gifts it is under $500US, seems to me it should be exempt from any customs duty in the Dominican Republic.

Two trips ago I was waiting in the customs line at the SDQ airport after picking up my luggage from the baggage carousel, passengers on a flight from Colombia were told to put their luggage through an x-ray machine before they could exit the customs area. When I got to the customs worker, a 25 year old delgada, Indian (south asian) looking chica, told me to pass my luggage through the x-ray machine, which was about 20 feet away. I walked over, put my stuff on the conveyor belt, walked to the other side of the machine and retrieved my luggage and exited the customs area. It was the only time in more than 20 arrivals into SDQ that I have been remotely bothered by customs (the POP airport used to have some custom workers who loved to try and break balls when Exiting the DR at the Puerto Plata Airport).

Ps; There is one CESNA (some airport security agency at the SDQ airport) who has an incredible booty. She must get her uniform pants custom tailored (tall not fat, short hair, with an incredible bubble butt).

[quote=alex deuce;1290117]only an idiot would declare he has that much money on him. you would be lucky to make it in or out the states much less a third world country.[/quote]if you bring more than 10000 dollars you have to declare it. these folks who apparently are not doing that, i wonder why?

do you think they are trying to do something illegal?

in case one brings more money and does not declare it, your money will be confirep001ed and you will go to jail in case you get caught.

have a nice day

[quote=revere;1290125]alex i agree with you on third world countries, but not the united states. i cannot believe those custom officers you meet coming back in are on the take. no way. also, if you are bringing goods into santo domingo you have to declare goods you are bringing in as they might ask you to run your bags through the machines. you guys are the experts, but what happens if you do not declare goods when you come in and they catch you. i think brazil it is over $750.00 you have to declare. there is a fine right. so, i think you might have people who are honest and write it down and as berthold said someone passes that information on to someone.[/quote]

you travel with that amount of cash, your looking for issues (period) and if you do declare it your asking for bigger issues coming into sdq. there are several wire services and banks to move your funds above 10k. declaring monies in that volume puts an x on your back. better of chancing it than giving a worker a chance to text his cousin waiting at the exits.

as for america, i live in atlanta and miami, your lucky to get all items in your luggage returned much less not get cased for 10g's you declared. look at the faces behind those nicely pressed tsa shirts. you shouldn't feel secure.

as for gifts, i don't bother. i don't bring third world prostitutes gifts. if i like them we go shopping for third world shit she won't get robbed for. if i buy gifts for my kids and friends, i ship insured freight if it's of value or above customs. the baggage fees tend to balance out almost. you would be surprised what i have shipped home via ups.

[quote=berthold;1290278]if you bring more than 10000 dollars you have to declare it. these folks who apparently are not doing that, i wonder why?

do you think they are trying to do something illegal?

in case one brings more money and does not declare it, your money will be confirep001ed and you will go to jail in case you get caught.

have a nice day[/quote]

smart guy,

drug or illicit monies ain't coming on a person that has to declare shit and anal probed. 911 killed that.

your not going to fvcking jail for failure to disclose. money is siezed and you pay a ticket. your not going to be arrested unless you got dope with it. you can get it back if you can provide source and means. in general, its considered a mundane failure to disclosure unless it millions and then your escalated to an irs hearing as wells as customs.

10k fits in friggen pants pocket with room left. i guess when you're haggling with putas over 10-20 dollars you have no inkling of what that kind of cash looks like for holiday.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa; 1290120]Good post. When guys on a motorcycle try to pull you over, try to stop in an area with lights (if it is nighttime) and an area that has other people (gas station, hotel, in front of stores or other businesses). Some real Policia Nacional try to shake down drivers and they prefer to do it where it is dark. Guys impersonating police or military stopping cars will also prefer to attempt their thievery in a dark area of a road.

For the flights that arrive very late, lots of businesses are closed along the route into santo domingo and usually not a lot of other drivers out on the roads at a late hour.

More than likely I wouldn't pull over right away if the area was dark, with no other people around, I would try to continue to drive until I found a somewhat safer area to stop. Generally late at night a tourist driving safely, obeying all laws, there should be no legitimate reason to be pulled over, so more than likely any attempted stop by guys on motorcycles is for unlawful purposes.

809-221-2171 have this number stored in your cell (Embassy of the United States in Santo Domingo, they will answer the call).

"If you have an emergency involving the death, arrest or hospitalization of an American citizen, or a missing American citizen, please call 809-221-2171. When the prompts ask you to enter the extension, enter 0 and tell the operator you have an emergency."

[url]http://santodomingo.usembassy.gov/acs-e-contact.html[/url][/QUOTE]All around great advice, I had a member of the policia nacional try to get $ 200 for me one nite 12 years ago. It didn't work

[QUOTE=Alex Deuce;1290383]If I like them we go shopping for third world shit she won't get robbed for.[/QUOTE]Ahem. Most of the first world shit is also produced in the third world. As in iphone, those fancy sneakers and all Walmart "goodies"! He he.

[QUOTE=Alex Deuce;1290383]Your not going to fvcking jail for failure to disclose. Money is siezed and you pay a ticket. Your not going to be arrested unless you got dope with it. You can get it back if you can provide source and means. In general, its considered a mundane failure to disclosure unless it millions and then your escalated to an IRS hearing as wells as customs.[/QUOTE]You might read this article, maybe afterwards you will rethink what you posted above.

Have a nice day.

[url]http://www.listin.com.do/la-republica/2012/1/24/219225/Aduanas-se-incauta-de-58-mil-57-dolares-en-el-AILA[/url]

[quote=berthold; 1290592]you might read this article, maybe afterwards you will rethink what you posted above.

have a nice day.

[url]http://www.listin.com.do/la-republica/2012/1/24/219225/aduanas-se-incauta-de-58-mil-57-dolares-en-el-aila[/url][/quote]"in general, its considered a mundane failure of disclosure unless it millions and then your escalated to an irs hearing as wells as customs."

dayum!

they ever teach you to read? i bet you sifted through thousands of articles to find that to be dead ass wrong. once again, a couple thousand over is mundane failure to comply. money confirep001ed and fine issued. millions is international money laundering, jail and visit by departing and arriving countries treasuries. your not dumb enough to not differentiate the difference between customs infractions and felonies. coupled with a sure indictment on money laundering.

quote=tempoecorto;1290576]ahem. most of the first world shit is also produced in the third world. as in iphone, those fancy sneakers and all walmart "goodies"! he he.[/quote

please list what wallmart items are produced in dr.

ps. all this consulate calling and elongated failure to stop is going to get a bullet in one of your temples. bucking the jack is dangerous in any country.

[QUOTE=Alex Deuce;1290686]Please list what wallmart items are produced in DR.[/QUOTE]You said "third world". That universe is very big that includes places like China, vietnam, India among others; By the way, a lot of stuff sold in the DR are made in China. Especially the cheap trinkets you buy your favored dominican prostitutes. I was merely pointing out that a lot of first world stuff is also produced in the third world and often times by the same plant who target different segments in different countries. By the way, in the export zones in the DR, a number of fancy US brand clothing is made.... I happen to know.

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto;1290711]You said "third world". That universe is very big that includes places like China, vietnam, India among others; By the way, a lot of stuff sold in the DR are made in China. Especially the cheap trinkets you buy your favored dominican prostitutes. I was merely pointing out that a lot of first world stuff is also produced in the third world and often times by the same plant who target different segments in different countries. By the way, in the export zones in the DR, a number of fancy US brand clothing is made. I happen to know.[/QUOTE]I rest my case.

[QUOTE=Revere; 1290086]I just wanted to post this article that was in Dominican Today. Be careful everyone:

Santo Domingo- The United States warned its citizens traveling to Dominican Republic on increasing robberies of visitors entering the country through Las Americas Airport.[/QUOTE]From Dominican Toady: "Santo Domingo- The Police arrested at least four gangs of thieves who robbed travelers leaving Las Americas Airport (AILA) in the last five months, including one woman in one of them, based in nearby Andrés and Boca Chica. The report comes just hours after the USA State Department warned American citizens on traveling to the country, noting the high number of highway robberies of travelers after leaving the country's busiest airport." [url]http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2012/6/6/43928/Gangs-robbed-travelers-exiting-busy-airport-nabbed-confirms-US-warning[/url]

On an unrelated topic: "Santo Domingo- A Santo Domingo province court sent the Haitians Willi Yan and Coldonie Pie to 10 years in prison, found guilty of child exploitation, trafficking with people, labor exploitation and of physical abuse against 12 minors. The 2nd Collegiate Court's landmark ruling says the children, of ages from 8 to 14, were brought from Haiti and were beaten and exploited for forced labor by the convicts. According to the prosecution, a total of 12 children were brought to Dominican Republic to force them to beg in the streets, after which Yan and Pie took the money from them." [url]http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/local/2012/6/6/43922/Dominican-courts-landmark-ruling-sends-Haitian-children-traffickers-to[/url]

Sounds like something out of the movie filmed in India "Slumdog Millionaire" and makes me recall an article I read today online: "Phantom Debt Collectors From India Harass Americans, Demand Money" (This is what we call a phantom debt collection scam, said Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission."It's a very pernicious and innovative new fraud.") [url]http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/phantom-debt-collectors-india-harass-americans-demand-money/story?id=16512428[/url]. T9H3C9VDwyI