In a bold move against drug trafficking, authorities in Santo Domingo struck again! A joint inspection operation led by the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) and the Customs Directorate (DGA), with support from military security at the Multimodal Port of Caucedo, resulted in the seizure of a whopping 310 packages believed to contain cocaine.
The Operation
Thanks to intelligence reports, anti-narcotics agents teamed up with military personnel and canine units to inspect several containers filled with cotton that were transiting through the country. They got a tip-off about suspicious substances inside one of the containers.
Following the lead, the acting prosecutor ordered an X-ray scan of the container. To everyone’s surprise, officials discovered ten black bags wrapped in tape, containing a total of 310 packages of a substance suspected to be cocaine.
According to shipping documents, this cotton shipment, tainted with the illicit substance, arrived at the Caucedo terminal from Barrios Port in Guatemala, with Belgium marked as its final destination.
Ongoing Investigations
The DNCD and the Public Ministry are diving deeper into the investigation and promise to provide updates as the case unfolds. Their collaboration, supported by the government, armed forces, and intelligence agencies, has ramped up efforts to combat drug trafficking, leading to significant successes this year.
In 2024 alone, authorities have confiscated an impressive 26,126 kilograms (over 26 tons) of drugs. With the help of international partners, Dominican officials have seized an additional 30,280 kilograms, bringing the total to a staggering 56.4 tons of various narcotics.
Fighting Back Against Drug Trafficking
The Dominican Republic continues to implement innovative strategies to tackle drug trafficking and related crimes. These coordinated efforts are crucial in disrupting criminal networks trying to exploit the nation for their illegal activities.
As for the seized 310 packages, they have been sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for analysis to confirm the type and exact weight of the cargo.
