The demand for drugs in the United States and Europe continues to put the pressure on the Dominican Republic that is forced to immerse itself in a very costly modern-day war against drug traffickers.
In a joint operation involving the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD), the Dominican Navy, and the Air Force, coordinated by the Public Ministry, authorities announced seizing another significant drug shipment. A total of 484 packages, presumed to contain cocaine, were intercepted during a large-scale operation off the eastern coast of La Altagracia province.
Following intelligence reports, anti-narcotics agents and military personnel launched a comprehensive surveillance operation by air, sea, and land to apprehend the occupants of a go-fast boat attempting to smuggle a substantial amount of drugs into Dominican territory.
After a more than 15-hour pursuit, tactical units managed to intercept the 26-foot vessel several nautical miles south of Bayahibe. Two individuals were apprehended, and 19 sacks containing the 484 packages were recovered.
In addition to the drugs, authorities seized 18 fuel containers, two 75-horsepower outboard motors, a cell phone, a satellite phone, a portable battery, a two-way radio, binoculars, flashlights, and other evidence.
The Public Ministry and the DNCD are expanding their investigation to determine if others were involved in this criminal organization. The two Dominican detainees have been turned over to the Permanent Attention Jurisdiction of La Altagracia province.
The anti-narcotics agency once again highlighted the support of the central government and the extensive cooperation of the Attorney General’s Office, the Armed Forces, state intelligence agencies, and international partners, which have been instrumental in the fight against drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational organized crime.
Just on Monday, 12 August 2024, the DNCD had reported seizing another shipment of 277 packages containing 292.77 kilograms of cocaine, and 123 packages of marijuana, weighing 140.84 lbs off the southcentral coast of Peravia province.
“Over the past four years, Dominican security agencies have confiscated a total of 111,074 kilograms (111 tons) of drugs. With international cooperation, drug seizures have exceeded 155 tons of cocaine, marijuana, crack, ecstasy, and other substances, setting a historic precedent in the fight against drug trafficking,” the DNCD stated.
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DNCD
14 August 2024