Officials in Santo Domingo warned that the improper use of seized assets by public officials could result in prison sentences of up to five years and fines equivalent to 200 wages. The warning was issued by Manuel Oviedo Estrada, head of the Incabide.
Oviedo Estrada stated that no government official is authorized to use vehicles, properties, or other confiscated assets without prior approval from the institution’s governing board, which holds exclusive authority over asset allocation. He emphasized that this rule applies to all officials, including the agency’s executive director, and that any unauthorized use is illegal.
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He explained that the regulation is intended to eliminate past practices in which seized assets were used at discretion. All assignments must be approved by the board, which includes key government figures such as the minister of finance, the attorney general, and the legal advisor to the executive branch. He added that information regarding these assets is public and accessible to citizens.
The director acknowledged that a transition process is still underway, as not all assets have yet been transferred from the public prosecutor’s office to Incabide. He noted that authorities have between 30 and 90 days to complete the transfer. He also reported that the state currently holds more than 4,000 seized assets, with 147 scheduled to be auctioned on May 13 through a public and transparent process requiring registration, verification, and financial guarantees.
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