<P> The higher education system consists of institutes and universities . The institutes offer courses of a higher technical level . The universities offer technical careers, undergraduate and graduate; these are regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology . </P> <P> In 2012 the Dominican Republic had a murder rate of 22.1 per 100,000 population . There was a total of 2,268 murders in the Dominican Republic in 2012 . </P> <P> The Dominican Republic has become a trans - shipment point for Colombian drugs destined for Europe as well as the United States and Canada . Money - laundering via the Dominican Republic is favored by Colombian drug cartels for the ease of illicit financial transactions . In 2004 it was estimated that 8% of all cocaine smuggled into the United States had come through the Dominican Republic . The Dominican Republic responded with increased efforts to seize drug shipments, arrest and extradite those involved, and combat money - laundering . </P> <P> The often light treatment of violent criminals has been a continuous source of local controversy . In April 2010, five teenagers, aged 15 to 17, shot and killed two taxi drivers and killed another five by forcing them to drink drain - cleaning acid . On September 24, 2010, the teens were sentenced to prison terms of three to five years, despite the protests of the taxi drivers' families . </P>

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