Two Colombian men have been arrested and charged with the illegal practice of dental medicine in Puerto Rico, according to the Department of Justice. Johan Eduardo Posse Torres, 43, and Santiago Andrés García Briñas, 27, were taken into custody during a raid on Thursday at an establishment called Colombia Smile Design. The raid was a joint operation between the Police Bureau, the Department of Justice, the DEA, and the College of Dental Surgeons of Puerto Rico.
The authorities confiscated medications and equipment being used by individuals who were not legally authorized to practice dental medicine in Puerto Rico. Charges were also filed against Rufino Soto Román, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the group’s illegal activities.
Investigators discovered that the suspects were scheduling appointments through digital platforms to provide dental services illegally, including a procedure known as smile redesign. The defendants were operating a commercial premises in Mayagüez without the necessary permits or health protocols.
As a result of their actions, prosecutors filed five charges against each defendant, including fraud, practicing dental surgery without a license, and dispensing prescription medications without authorization. Judge Margarita Gaudier of the Court of First Instance of Mayagüez ruled that there was cause for the arrest of the individuals and issued another warrant for Soto Román.
Soto Román was given a bail of one million dollars, while the other defendants were each set a bail of 200,000 dollars. They have been remanded to prison, and a preliminary hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 10.