The National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) and the Public Prosecutor's Office occupied 228 packages of alleged cocaine during two operations carried out at Don Diego port in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana International Airport in La Altagracia province.
In the port Don Diego, the agents inspected the trailer of a container after receiving intelligence information that warned about possible irregularities. During the review, they detected structure anomalies and discovered a double-bottom compartment in the back.
To extract the 203 hidden packages, a specialized team worked for more than 10 hours with saws, drills and other drilling equipment.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor against Illicit Drug Trafficking and the Department of Narcotics Research of the National District, with the support of State intelligence agencies, the United States Drug Control Administration (DEA) and the Office of International Anti-Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), participated in this operation.
For this case, the authorities arrested a man, while investigations are continuing to identify other potential members of the drug trafficking network. They also occupied a vehicle, two cell phones and cash. The trailer and container were under the control of the authorities.
Confiscation at Punta Cana Airport
In a parallel operation, DNCD agents and members of the Public Prosecutor's Office, together with the Specialized Aviation and Aviation Security Corps (CESAC), arrested a 34-year-old Dutch citizen who was preparing to board a commercial flight to Paris, France.
The inspection was carried out after the operating teams and canine units detected suspicious images in a passenger's suitcase.
When they checked the luggage, authorities found 25 packages of alleged cocaine, wrapped in adhesive tape and marked with different logos.
The alien will be presented to the Permanent Care Court of La Altagracia province to respond for an alleged violation of the Law 50-88 on Drugs and Controlled Substances.
The authorities indicated that investigations are continuing in both cases with the aim of establishing possible connections and identifying other persons associated with criminal structures.
The 228 packages occupied were sent, under strict chain of custody, to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), where the exact type and weight of the substance will be determined.
