Dominicans crack down on Haiti border

Dominicans crack down on Haiti border A Dominican Republic military operation along the Haitian border led to the arrest of some 270 migrants and the seizure of weapons, drugs, and vehicles, according to an official from the Miami-based U.S. Southern Command.
   According to an Associated Press report, Dominican officials said Sunday the five-day operation concluded Saturday and marked the beginning of efforts to begin patrolling of the 225-mile common border between the nations, which are both on the island of Hispaniola.
   The report said Haiti does not keep a presence on the border, and the Dominican Republic has been planning to impose a border security program since 2005. Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez this year has warned that there has been an increase in drugs and arms smuggling from Haiti, and has promised to combat the activities.
   There were 270 arrests, and an estimated 77 pounds of marijuana seized, as well as seven handguns and three trucks, the report said.
   The operation was observed for one day by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Ken Keen of the Southern Command.