The National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), with the support of the Specialized Airport Security Corps and coordinated by members of the Public Ministry, seized 45 packages, presumably cocaine, at the Punta Cana International Airport, Altagracia province.
The possible cache was found in two suitcases in the container of an aircraft that was destined for Toronto, Canada, when the anti-narcotics agents, accompanied by canine units and members of intelligence agencies stationed at the airport, carried out inspection tasks in one of the terminals.
Subsequently, and in the presence of a prosecutor, a more rigorous review was carried out, occupying a black package with 25 packages in a first suitcase and in the second, another package with 20, for a total of 45 packages of the substance, reported the DNCD in a press release.
The Public Ministry and the DNCD are holding seven men (all airport employees) under investigation and hopes that further details will be provided as the process progresses.
The DNCD affirms that since this week they have reinforced with more agents and canine units, the interdiction efforts against drug trafficking in the country’s airports and ports, regarding the increase in the flow of passengers for the Christmas season.
The 45 packages occupied in this operation were sent under chain of custody to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for the corresponding purposes.
