Authorities seized 199 packages, presumably cocaine, in the midst of a joint operation carried out on the coast of La Altagracia province, by agents of the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), members of the Dominican Republic Navy and the Air Force, coordinated by members of the Public Ministry, within the framework of reinforcing interdiction efforts against drug trafficking.
They reported that after receiving reports that several individuals intended to introduce a shipment of alleged drugs through that part of the country, coming from South Americaagents of the DNCD and members of the Navy, began an extensive operation by air, sea and land.
They indicate that the occupants of the boat, after noticing the persecution, accelerated their march, reached Isla Saona, near a wooded area of the town of Mano Juan, where they entered and managed to evade the persecution of the authorities.
Drugs seized in LR correction center
“Subsequently, the tactical and reaction teams carried out a search and tracking operation throughout the area, finding eight sacks in the aforementioned area, inside which the 199 packages of the substance were occupied,” they added.
They also seized a boat of about 23 feet in length, without name or registration, with two outboard motors of 75 horsepower each.
Currently, the DNCD and the Navy are carrying out search operations along the coast of Saône Islandto find the whereabouts of the occupants of the boat, as well as others involved in the frustrated attempt to introduce the cache to Dominican territory.
«The Public Ministry and the DNCD deepen the investigation and persecute at least eight peoplesome of them identified, so we hope to offer more extended details in the next few hours “says the press release.
In recent months, the authorities have systematically hit drug trafficking structures, arresting dozens of individuals and preventing large shipments of drugs from being introduced into the country, which translates into the great support of the superior government, the new interinstitutional strategies and international cooperation.
The 199 packages seized in this new operation were sent under chain of custody to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF), which in its analysis will determine the exact type and weight of the substance.