Two senior officers in the Dominican military have been removed from their posts after denouncing alleged drug trafficking operations involving members of the country’s own intelligence and anti-narcotics agencies, El Nacional reports.
The colonels are:
Colonel Rafael Antonio Morales Herrero – Dominican Air Force (FAD)
Colonel Rafael Antonio Morales Herrero revealed that he was dismissed from his role as Director of Internal Affairs for the Armed Forces on 30 July 2025, after investigating approximately 30 suspected drug trafficking cases. These cases reportedly implicated personnel from the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and the National Intelligence Agency (DNI).
Morales alleges that some officers within these agencies are actively facilitating the shipment of drugs through airports and seaports by disabling key security systems—such as scanners, X-rays, surveillance cameras—and abandoning critical posts. These deliberate gaps in security allegedly allow drug traffickers to operate freely.
He further claimed that corrupt officials charge approximately US$3,500 for each kilogram of cocaine successfully sent to the United States or Europe. According to Morales, these officers even provide criminal networks with “technical advice” on security weaknesses and the necessary connections to bypass protective layers of security.
He also stated that drug shipments —both entering and exiting the country via maritime routes— are being facilitated in exchange for bribes along various points of the Dominican coastline.
Morales said he had reported these activities since 2021 to military leadership, the Public Ministry, political authorities, and even allied foreign intelligence agencies, submitting what he described as solid evidence of the crimes.
“I always did it internally, respecting the institution, hoping for a resolution or at least an end to the harassment, but that never happened,” he stated.
He accused a group of public officials of orchestrating his removal through a campaign that included lobbying in government offices and a media smear effort. After being dismissed at the end of July, Morales said he became the target of paid media attacks, including reports that his US visa had been revoked.
Colonel Eudis Ramírez Bautista – Dominican Army
Colonel Eudis Ramírez Bautista, who also served as Director of Internal Affairs—this time for the Dominican Army—has made similar complaints. He claims a falsified intelligence report was sent to the US State Department to deliberately damage his reputation.
The US State Department has confirmed it revoked the visas of both Morales Herrero and Ramírez Bautista due to alleged ties to drug trafficking. The decision extends to members of Morales’s immediate family.
At the time of his dismissal, Morales held a highly sensitive position within the Ministry of Defense, while Ramírez was in a similar role within the Army—positions that granted them access to critical intelligence and considerable influence in the military structure.
Morales learned that his visa had been canceled while attempting to leave the country through Las Américas International Airport.
The local anti-drug authorities claim they have seized a record amount of drugs.
Read more:
El Nacional
Diario Libre
DR1 News
14 August 2025