A 30-year-old Italian man was apprehended by agents of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and members of the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC) at the Punta Cana International Airport. The man had attempted to board a flight to Paris, France, with a significant quantity of suspected narcotics concealed within his body.
The foreign national was detained in the migration area and, following standard procedures, authorities detected foreign objects in his digestive system. Acting on the instructions of the public prosecutor, the individual was immediately transported to the Nuestra Señora de La Altagracia Hospital in Higuey, where he initially expelled 33 packets of the substance.
However, the man subsequently developed symptoms that alarmed medical specialists, prompting them to perform surgery. During the procedure, an additional 71 packets were removed from his stomach, bringing the total to 104, with an approximate weight of 1.36 kilograms.
“After a timely and successful intervention to extract the packets, medical professionals are keeping the foreigner under observation. He is currently stable and recovering at the healthcare facility,” stated an official report.
The Public Ministry and the DNCD are expanding their investigations into this foiled international drug trafficking operation to determine if there are other individuals involved.
Over the past four years, Dominican authorities have intensified security and sureillance measures at the country’s airports, successfully thwarting numerous international drug trafficking attempts in recent days.
The 104 packets, weighing over a kilogram and presumed to contain cocaine, were sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for analysis.
The day before, on 23 July 2024, the DNCD had reported intercepting an attempt to ship 41 kg of cocaine to Switzerland through the same Punta Cana International.
The DNCD reported that in a joint operation conducted by the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESAC), under the supervision of the Public Ministry, agents detected inconsistencies in two suitcases during a routine X-ray screening.
Upon inspection in the presence of a prosecutor, authorities discovered 39 packages of a substance suspected to be cocaine concealed within the luggage. The packages were found in four backpacks inside the two suitcases.
According to the luggage tags, the suitcases were destined for Zurich, Switzerland.
T
he seized drugs again were sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for further analysis.
The DNCD did not give details on the names or nationality of those carrying the suitcases with the smuggled drugs.
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DNCD
DNCD
25 July 2024