National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) chief Major General Rolando Rosado Mateo has announced that a maritime radar system and a twin-turbine helicopter would be used to fight drug trafficking at sea at a cost of US$2.9 million. Funds for the purchase would come through the Ministry of the Presidency or the Office of Confiscated Assets. An auction of confiscated goods is expected to yield US$5 million.
US Embassy Minister Counselor Daniel Foote recently said that the Dominican Republic had eliminated drug trafficking shipments by air. Rosado, as reported in El Dia, says that their work is now centered on reducing maritime shipments. He announced that in the next two months a maritime radar system would be installed inside a Beechcraft Baron 55 that was confiscated from Puerto Rican pilot Santos Ceda Rodriguez, who was murdered two days after arriving in the country on the plane. A twin-turbine helicopter will also be purchased for patrolling.
http://eldia.com.do/nacionales/2013/2/10/106566/La-DNCD-sera-dotada-de-radar-y-helicoptero-contra-narcos-en-mar