The case involving arms and ammunition traffickers operating out of Belladère, on the border with the Dominican Republic, has taken a new turn in the United States. According to a statement, U.S. authorities have indicted Francesca Charles, 28, a U.S. citizen residing in Florida; Jacques Pierre, 32; and his brother Jeff Pierre, 34, both Haitian citizens also residing in Florida, on charges of “conspiracy to smuggle goods and firearms, smuggling goods from the United States, and unlawful transportation of firearms.” “If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison,” the statement said.

According to court documents, in February 2025, Dominican authorities seized 18 rifles, five pistols, magazines, more than 36,000 rounds of ammunition, and a silencer inside a container shipped from Miami, Florida. The container was bound for Haiti. The firearms and ammunition were not listed on the shipping manifest, which mentioned only household goods, U.S. authorities said.