US Embassy praises Dominican authorities after 749-package cocaine seizure

Santo Domingo.- Agents from the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), the Dominican Republic Navy and the Dominican Republic Air Force, under the coordination of the Public Ministry, seized 749 packages of suspected cocaine during simultaneous operations off the coast of Baní, Peravia province.

The operations took place several nautical miles south of Punta Salinas with support from Dominican intelligence agencies, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S).

In the first operation, authorities intercepted a boat carrying two men and found 281 packages of a substance presumed to be cocaine, distributed among 10 bales. An exotic monkey was also found aboard the vessel.

A second boat was intercepted in the same maritime area, where authorities seized another 468 packages of the suspected drug, contained in 20 bales. Two additional Dominican citizens were arrested.

In total, authorities seized 30 bales containing 749 packages and arrested four people. The packages were placed under chain of custody and sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for analysis to determine the substance’s exact type and weight.

The DNCD and Public Ministry said an investigation remains underway to identify and arrest other individuals allegedly linked to the operation and the structures responsible for transporting controlled substances into the country.

The U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic congratulated the DNCD, Navy and Air Force for the operation, highlighting the cooperation between both countries in combating drug trafficking and strengthening security.