A high-ranking regional delegation of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is visiting since Wednesday, 27 April 2022 for the strengthening of international cooperation to combat drug trafficking, money laundering and transnational crime.
The delegation coincides with a peak in seizures of cocaine. In the first quarter of the year, the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has reported seizing 12.8 tons of cocaine.
In the 24 hours before the visit, the DNCD had seized 1.7 tons.
The head of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the United States for the Caribbean region, Denise Foster, met on Wednesday, 27 April 2022 with the director of the DNCD, Jose Cabrera Ulloa, behind closed doors at the headquarters of the institution. Also present during the meeting were Special Agent Greg Garza, from Puerto Rico, and DEA representatives in the country.
“We ratify our firm support for the efforts of the Dominican Republic and the countries of the region in these joint actions to confront and stop drug trafficking and its related crimes,” said Denise Foster in a statement released by the DNCD.
Vice Admiral Cabrera Ulloa highlighted the cooperation of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, which he said has been decisive in dismantling national and international drug trafficking structures. He affirmed that the Dominican Republic is committed to continue working together with allied countries to confront the threats of illicit trafficking of controlled substances.
On Tuesday, 26 April 2022, the DNCD seized another 344 packages of cocaine in a sea operation carried out off the coast of Punta Salinas in Peravia province. Earlier in the week, shipments of 1.4 tons had been seized off the coats of San Pedro de Macoris and Santo Domingo. During the interdiction operation carried out jointly with the Dominican Republic Navy, Air Force and State intelligence agencies, three people were captured, two Dominicans and one Colombian.
With the 26 April shipment, the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) has seized 6,467 kilograms of cocaine, equivalent to 6.4 tons. In addition to the increase in drugs capture, what is new this year is an increase in the number of traffickers arrested in the operations.
The trip of the DEA mission is two days before the visit of President Ivan Duque of Colombia. The speedboats arriving loaded with cocaine are said to be from Colombia.
Insightcrime.org reports that most South American cocaine destined for the US is smuggled through Central America and Mexico. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates that up to 8% is trafficked through the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic has served as a transport hub for South American cocaine. Traffickers have used the country to stash and then move the shipments by go-fast boats across the Mona Canal to Puerto Rico and then the USA. The recent successful interdictions may be sending a message to the cartels to stay away from the country.
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DNCD
DNCD
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
UNODC
28 April 2022