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HOLGUÍN, February 24 (Juan Carlos Garcell, APLO / www.cubanet.org) -
In just one morning recently, the Cuban government's campaign against "illegalities"
in the mining community of Moa resulted in the confiscation of 78 cloth napkins,
one bag of cement, 15 pounds of fish, 8 cedar wood boards, an attaché
case containing 20 pounds of sugar, one light bulb, a length of rope, and
several other items, all somehow incriminating evidence of illegal activities.
Starting with the second half of January, the government started searching
homes in a campaign against illegal drugs. It soon became apparent to Cubans
that the campaign extended to other illegal activities, which include most of
the small ways Cubans try to make economic ends meet.
In the Moa operative, the morning of February 14, police found Milber
Galiano had 15 pounds of fish, presumably with intent to sell. The fish was
confiscated and Galiano fined 1,500 pesos.
Yamilé Rodríguez was found to be in possession of 8 boards of
cedar, 5 plastic bowls, 8 spoons, 2 forks, 2 teaspoons, 78 cloth napkins, one
bag of cement, one plastic thermos, one plastic tank containing 20 pounds of
sugar, one attaché case containing 20 pounds of sugar, one light bulb,
one pair work gloves, one length of rope, and one 200-gallon plastic tank; all
evidence of home brewing. All goods were confiscated and she was fined 1,500
pesos. Her step father was fined 250 pesos; the 8 wooden boards were his.
Idania Linares, 35, Yamilé's neighbor, was fined 200 pesos for
complicity in the sale of whatever was being brewed.
Javier Blanco wasn't home when police called. They broke down the door and
found 100 pounds of rice and 60 pounds of beans. He was fined 1,500 pesos.
Víctor Pajón lost 15 pounds of yams, 11 pounds of tomatoes,
and 25 eggs. And the 1,500 peso fine.
"This is just abusive," said Yamilé Rodríguez, as
she showed the receipt for the bag of cement that she had bought at a dollar
store. "They even took my spoons, and the bag of cement, it seems a
policeman must have needed it."
Related stories
Police
confiscate 60 pedicabs / Lux Info Press
Anti-drug
raids snare self-employed tradesmen / Caridad Cristina Álvarez
Private
sellers banned from market / Armando Soler
Private
restaurants; standing room only / APLA
Street
vendors raided in mining town / APLO
Twelve
arrested as drug raids continue / CPIC
Self-employed
accumulated more than 150,000 pesos in fines / Lux Info Press
Youths
arrested in drug raid / Grupo Decoro
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