The Dominican authorities have yet to report on the responsible for the largest shipment of cocaine captured in an operation at Puerto Caucedo in December 2024.
Meanwhile, a recent seizure of 548 packages of cocaine off the coast of Pedernales has reignited concerns about the Dominican Republic’s persistent role as a transit point for narcotics destined for the United States and Europe.
El Nacional reports that while the local authorities tout the operation as a success, questions linger about the decision to intercept the drugs at sea rather than allowing them to reach their intended destination on land.
Critics argue that a more impactful strategy would involve permitting the drug shipment to proceed, enabling law enforcement to apprehend not only the transporters but also the individuals awaiting the cargo. This approach, they contend, would deliver a more significant blow to drug trafficking networks.
In the Pedernales operation, two Dominican nationals were apprehended during the pursuit of a speedboat allegedly carrying the cocaine. The National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) reported that the operation involved collaboration from the Navy, Air Force, Army, the Attorney General’s Office, and state intelligence agencies.
The El Nacional report observes that while the seizure underscores the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking through the country, some observers suggest that traffickers may intentionally sacrifice smaller shipments to facilitate the movement of larger quantities of narcotics.
The decision to intercept drug shipments at sea, as seen in the Pedernales case, has become a recurring tactic. Critics argue that this approach fails to address the crucial aspect of identifying and dismantling the networks receiving the drugs within the Dominican Republic. They question the logic of seizing drugs at sea when the ultimate goal is to prevent their arrival on land.
Read more in Spanish:
El Nacional
Diario Libre
6 March 2025