SANTO DOMINGO. - In the case file prepared by the Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the so-called Operation Chameleon, concerning the Santo Domingo traffic light network contract, it is alleged that the main suspect, José Ángel Gómez Canaán ( Jochi Gómez ), introduced into the country equipment for espionage during the elections during the COVID-19 pandemic , in addition to illicit high-tech goods.
"The analysis of the evidence collected has determined that the accused Jochi Gómez introduced into the territory of the Dominican Republic technological goods of high economic and strategic value —including unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), landing platforms, gimbals (device to stabilize cameras), specialized server software— without complying with the customs and tax procedures required by law, constituting the crimes of smuggling and illicit trade ," the document says.
The investigation carried out through the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) also indicates that the illegal actions were carried out to sabotage the traffic light system of Greater Santo Domingo, with the objective of pressuring and destabilizing the Dominican State after the start of investigations and audits against the accused.
The formal indictment file reveals that, between March and August 2024, the company Transcore Latam , SRL, accused of sabotaging the traffic light network of Santo Domingo, carried out nighttime and unauthorized installations of new traffic light regulators at different points in Greater Santo Domingo in order to appropriate the system.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, these tasks were carried out under the orders of the accused ( Jochi Gómez ), Pedro Vinicio Padovani Báez and Carlos José Peguero Vargas , who allegedly directed the work outside of regular hours, without the supervision or approval of Intrant .
control boxes were modified , preventing Intrant personnel from accessing the main nodes.
"This action meant the operational hijacking of the traffic light network of Greater Santo Domingo, which became exclusively dependent on the Transcore Latam control center, located under the direct control of the defendants, all this as retaliation for the suspension of the contract by the Directorate of Public Procurement and Intrant ," he explained.
The faults
The new technologies introduced irregularly prevented Intrant technicians from reprogramming, monitoring, or remotely controlling the timing of traffic devices, affecting the institutional capacity to maintain vehicle flow and road safety .
The contract suspended with the company Transcore Latam due to irregularities in the bidding process amounted to more than 1.3 billion pesos.
Following the suspension , in 2024 the traffic light system in Greater Santo Domingo went out on several occasions, causing chaos on various avenues. Authorities blamed Gómez Canaán , who held several contracts with the government, including one for issuing driver's licenses through Dekolor.
Hugo Veras , key ally
The formal indictment against those involved in Operation Chameleon concluded that Hugo Beras Goico , former executive director of Intrant , "is the main facilitator of corruption in the management of the traffic light network and the video surveillance system," and that he "facilitated fraudulent awards to companies without technical capacity."
According to the file presented by the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for the Prosecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca), as the main authority of Intrant between August 2022 and November 2023 , Hugo Beras "was key in the integration of new authorities into the manipulated project and facilitated the participation of shell companies that diverted state resources."
He is accused of being a co-author of the crimes of criminal association , fraud against the State, ideological falsehood , coalition of officials, among others.
The case also includes three new defendants : Manuel Eduardo Mora , general manager of Pago RD Exchange , Mariano Gustini and Henry Darío Féliz Casso.
In addition to Beras, Gómez, Mora Gustini and Féliz, Pedro Vinicio Padovani Intrant Traffic Control Center ; Samuel Gregorio Baquero Sepúlveda, former director of Technology; Frank Díaz Warden, former Dispatch Coordinator and Beras' representative to the Purchasing Committee; Juan Francisco Álvarez Carbuccia, administrative and financial director; and Carlos José Peguero Vargas face charges.
With information from Diario Libre.
