The Department of Drug Control (DNCD) has increased fivefold the number of drug busts in the first five months since the new government took power. The Listin Diario reports that the DNCD, under Rear Admiral Ivan Pena Castillo, has confiscated 3,248 shipments, including the 1,387 kilos of cocaine linked to arrested former army captain Quirino Paulino Castillo, and some 895 kilos of cannabis intercepted at sea over the weekend in a joint operation between the Dominican Navy and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. DNCD records show there were 142 drug busts in 2000, 120 in 2001, 118 in 2002 and 120 in 2003.
From 16 August to 20 January of this year, the DNCD confiscated 1,629.3 kilos of cocaine, 4,882.2 grams of crack, 323.8 kilos of cannabis, 39.6 kilos of heroin, 110 cannabis plants, 2,248 ecstasy pills, 4 cannabis seeds and 29.9 kilos of other substances.
As reported, the DNCD has prosecuted 1,215 people on drug charges, and in the past five months has deported 15 foreigners and extradited 13 Dominicans to the US. The DNCD is on record for confiscating 1,281 kilos of cocaine and 2,837.9 kilos of cannabis in 2000. In 2001, the authorities confiscated 1,811.1 kilos of cocaine and 3,725 kilos of cannabis. In 2002, 1,056 kilos of cannabis and 1,630 kilos of cocaine were confiscated, while in 2003, a total of 1,335 kilos of cocaine was confiscated.
On Sunday, the DNCD reported that in a joint operation with the US coastal guard service, more than 2,000 lbs. of marijuana were confiscated and 40 kilos of cocaine in a Santo Domingo drug bust. The authorities believe that the 40 kilos of cocaine had come from Enriquillo, in the province of Barahona.