SANTO DOMINGO.– Last night, another of those involved in the seizure of the cache of 9.8 tons of cocaine, confiscated in December 2024 at the Caucedo Multimodal Port, one of the largest drug seizures made in the country, surrendered to the authorities.
The chief prosecutor of Santo Domingo Este, Milciades Guzmán, confirmed the voluntary surrender of the suspect, although he avoided revealing his identity for reasons related to the investigation. As he explained, coercive measures will be requested against the person involved in the next few hours, in a process that is part of the operation «Panthera 7».
Postponement of the hearing
Judge Karen Casado, of the Permanent Attention Office of Santo Domingo Este, postponed the hearing to this Thursday to learn about the coercive measures requested against the accused already arrested within the framework of the same operation. The decision responded to the need for defense lawyers to have more time to review the file and prepare their arguments, in addition to the absence of the lawyer of one of the accused.
Among those detained so far are José Nicolás Castillo Hart (alias The Fat Man), Nelson Neftalí Mercedes Lugo, Enrique José Luis Brito, Enriquillo Luis Brito, José Dulvi Jesús de los Santos, Cristián Rayner Canela Aybar and Winston Armando Tejera.
Details of the operation and investigation
According to the Public Ministry, investigations indicate that the drug was transported from Colombia to the Dominican Republic by sea in the months prior to December 2024. The shipment was hidden in container number FFAU4542281, which managed to enter the port with the collaboration of corrupt employees of the Caucedo Multimodal Port.
The stash, made up of 9,587 packages that added up to a total weight of 9,889 kilos of cocaine, was confiscated in a joint operation between the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), the Public Ministry and other security agencies.
The criminal network behind the trafficking used two container shipping companies, identified as Grasswey Group SRL and GWG Transport. These companies not only facilitated the transportation of narcotics, but also operated to launder the money generated by illicit activities.
Implications of the criminal network
Authorities have identified that this organization has international ties, especially with drug trafficking cartels in Colombia and other Latin American countries. According to preliminary investigations, the network managed sophisticated logistics that included sea and land routes to guarantee the entry and distribution of drugs.
In addition, the Public Ministry is working on the financial analysis of those involved, who allegedly used ghost companies and bank accounts abroad to hide the benefits generated by drug trafficking.
Impact and next actions for 9.8 stash
The seizure of 9.8 tons of cocaine represents a significant blow to drug trafficking in the region, as it is one of the largest shipments seized in the Caribbean in recent years. The authorities have indicated that they will continue working to completely dismantle this organization, identifying and prosecuting all its members, including those responsible for coordinating operations from abroad.
In the coming weeks, the Public Ministry is expected to present new evidence, as well as requests for international cooperation to capture others involved outside of Dominican territory.
