PORT-AU-PRINCE — The United Nations Panel of Experts on Haiti has accused former senator Jean-Charles Moïse of exerting substantial control over Haiti’s glass eel trade, leading an illicit export network linked to broader smuggling operations throughout the Caribbean. This claim is detailed in a report submitted to the U.N. Security Council, which was made available on Wednesday by the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The panel’s investigation, which took place from October 2025 to July 2026, involved missions across Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Miami. The findings suggest that Moïse influences key aspects of the glass eel trade, including the issuance of export permits and customs oversight, impacting the entire supply chain from harvesting to commercialization.
“Through his activities, Moïse contributes to the weakening of the Haitian economy while facilitating regional criminal smuggling networks,” the report states. This assessment echoes earlier accusations made by the Haitian Network of Anti-Corruption Journalists (RHAJAC), which in June 2025 called for U.N. investigators to reveal a list of individuals purportedly involved in the eel trade.
A Lucrative but Poorly Regulated Trade
Glass eels, known locally as zangi or tizangi, are one of Haiti’s most valuable natural resources. International markets typically pay between $3,000 and $5,000 per kilogram, while local fishermen receive only between 34 cents and $1.70 for the same amount. This disparity underscores the economic struggles of coastal communities and has attracted criminal networks to the lucrative trade.
Haiti exported over 173,500 tons of eels valued at nearly $13 million during the 2022-2023 period, a 45% increase from the previous year, primarily targeting Asian markets. This figure does not include illicit exports, and the fishing season in Haiti runs from September to March, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) responsible for issuing export permits.
The U.N. report describes the glass eel sector as poorly regulated and prone to corruption, adding that Haiti’s lack of participation in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) exacerbates the problem. The report notes that the absence of a functioning Parliament hinders the country’s ability to join this important international agreement.
Additionally, the panel indicates that Moïse’s influence extends into the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. Sources reported that he impacts the appointment of officials in the government office that issues export permits and manipulates customs procedures. Those who resisted his demands allegedly faced punitive transfers.
The report also alleges that Moïse’s network orchestrated shipments of glass eels out of Haiti during times when air transport to the United States was suspended, utilizing Dominican boats to facilitate the movement. Investigators have noted cases of smuggling where shipments lacked necessary documentation, linking these illegal activities back to Moïse’s operations.
This investigation is part of a broader examination by the U.N. panel into organized crime, political influence, and illicit financial flows within Haiti. Alongside Moïse, other political figures have also been implicated in questionable activities related to corruption and financing of gangs. The report emphasizes the challenges Haiti faces in managing its natural resources effectively, promoting legitimate economic growth, and curbing illicit activities.
