US agents probe local pars on 130 pounds of cocaine seized in Philadelphia

SANTO DOMINGO. – Dominican Antinarcotics (DNCD) agents assigned to the Las Americas Airport International are being investigated in the heels of 130 pounds of cocaine seized in Philadelphia International Airport, reportedly sent from Santo Domingo’s terminal.

United States Drug Enforcement (DEA) agents began investigations into the confiscation today Monday, after the United States Immigration Department reported that on Saturday, January 7 three bags left on board U.S. Airways flight 1068 flight from Santo Domingo, which turned out to be 52 packages of cocaine.

The airline asked the DEA to investigate because that day’s flight was directed by DNCD personnel in AILA, who allegedly removed the flight’s private security personnel, and replaced with Antinarcotics AGency officers.

The arrival of US antinarcotics agents as well as U.S. Airways security guards has created surprise in the terminal where videos have been requested that apparently were erased, for which that day’s operation wasn’t recorded.

The DEA agents met with the carrier’s executives in Philadelphia, before traveling to Santo Domingo where they continue the investigation.

U.S. Airways managers said the DNCD agents assumed the plane’s security that day, in an operation they affirm included a search of the passengers and their luggage and used trained dogs, which caused a nearly half an hour delay in its departure, from 3:11pm to 3:37pm.

The situation has prompted the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to fine U.S. Airways 2.0 million dollars, for transporting the drug on board its aircraft.