SANTO DOMINGO.- The Dominican authorities announced this Sunday the seizure of more than 1.3 tons of cocaine hidden in a container transporting organic cocoa bound for Belgium.
The National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) presented the 1,378 packages of the substance at its headquarters, highlighting that the seizure was carried out after receiving intelligence reports.
In addition to the DNCD, the General Directorate of Customs (DGA), State Intelligence agencies, the Military Security of the Multimodal Port and the Public Ministry participated in the operation. As part of their new operational strategies, anti-narcotics agents, after receiving intelligence reports, examined dozens of containers destined for export. Through an X-ray machine, they detected irregularities in one of them, which led to a more thorough inspection.
Following the instructions of the acting prosecutor, the container loaded with organic cocoa was opened, where 55 sacks and a black package containing the 1,378 packages of alleged cocaine were found, wrapped in adhesive tape and with different logos.
According to the manifest, the container, whose cargo had been contaminated with drugs, was destined to be shipped from the Caucedo terminal to the port of Belgium.
The DNCD, with the support of the government, the Armed Forces (Navy, Air Force and Army), the Attorney General’s Office, Intelligence agencies and international cooperation, has confiscated a total of 25,495 kilograms (25.4 tons) of drugs during 2024, a figure that It exceeds the seizures of 2023 and reflects the commitment of the authorities to combat drug trafficking networks.
In addition, another 30,280 kilograms were confiscated thanks to international cooperation, reaching a total of 54,398 kilograms of various drugs seized in the last nine months of this year.
The Public Ministry and the DNCD are expanding investigations in relation to this international drug trafficking operation and, as the process progresses, they hope to provide more details.
The anti-narcotics organization highlighted the support of the Port of Caucedo Management, which collaborates to guarantee that these operations are carried out successfully, without affecting free trade in the terminal.
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The 1,378 packages confiscated in this operation have been sent under chain of custody to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) to determine the exact type and weight of the shipment.
