Investigations are ongoing into what is now known as the largest drug seizure in the history of Central America and the Caribbean – 9.8 tons of cocaine found at the Multimodal Caucedo Port, located in Boca Chica, Santo Domingo Province.
A source confirmed to Diario Libre that, in addition to the ten individuals linked to the port, another five people are under investigation, bringing the total number of people being probed to 15.
The source explained that the investigation is progressing, and authorities are expected to release further details in the coming days.
The cocaine seized, which was announced by the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) on Friday, 6 December 2024 has a street value of US$250 million. The shipment was destined for Europe.
Authorities in both Guatemala and Honduras have distanced themselves from the shipment. Honduran officials stated the freight container ship never passed through their ports, while Guatemala claimed that the container did not contain illicit substances when it left their territory, based on an analysis conducted there.
The drug capture operation, which lasted over 20 hours, was triggered by intelligence that alerted agents to unusual activity in one of the Caucedo Port’s blocks. This tip-off allowed authorities to coordinate a strategic inspection, ultimately leading to the massive seizure.
The Multimodal Caucedo Port, located in Boca Chica, is the country’s largest port and a transit point for shipments to ports all around the world.
Given the size of the drug haul at the port, Dominican authorities, in collaboration with international organizations, have ramped up security measures in recent days. These efforts include enhanced surveillance, the use of advanced inspection technologies, and increased control over port operations, all aimed at reducing the country’s role as a conduit for international drug trafficking.
A report in Hoy indicates that the 9.8 ton haul captured in the Dominican Republic last week is the fourth largest for a shipment from the Americas. Others are the 15.9 tons in Philadelphia, USA in June 2019, 13 tons in Algeciras, Spain in November 2024, and 11 tons in Amberes, Belgium in October 2020.
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Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Diario Libre
Hoy
Insight Crime
11 December 2024