Santo Domingo – The National Directorate of Drug Control (DNCD) reported yesterday that it seized 9,588 kilograms of cocaine, equivalent to 9.5 tons, in an operation at the Caucedo Multimodal Port, in Boca Chica, Santo Domingo.
The anti-drug agency said in a statement that the drug shipment, with an estimated value of 250 million dollars and considered the largest seized in the history of the Dominican Republic, was found in a container full of bananas, which would leave on a boat bound for Belgium.
“The first investigations show that the container loaded with bananas arrived in the country from Guatemala, and as has been established, several individuals, so far unknown, were trying to transfer the cache to another container that would be loaded on a ship bound for Belgium,” the note states.
The DNCD also indicated that under the coordination of the Public Ministry (MP), they are investigating at least ten people linked to the port and that the investigations are deepening in relation to the frustrated shipment of the shipment to Europe.
The entity said that the seizure of this shipment of cocaine shows the government’s commitment to continue dealing critical blows to criminal structures that try to use Dominican territory for their illicit activities.
He added that the largest seized cache, which occurred in 2006 and was 2,582 kilograms, was also in the Port of Caucedo.
“Today this great cache is shown that marks a before and after in the fight against drug trafficking and its related crimes,” says the DNCD.
He said that the authorities have also set a new record in the seizure of drugs, with the confiscation this year of 41,696 kilograms, equal to 41.6 tons, and with international cooperation, a consolidation of 65,768 kilos.
The joint surveillance and interdiction operation was supported by the Customs Directorate (DGA), State Intelligence agencies and the Military Security of the Caucedo Multimodal Port.