The National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD), in collaboration with the Dominican Republic Navy (ARD), confiscated about 615 packages of probable cocaine in two operations off the coasts of San Pedro de Macorís and Azua.
In a first operation, authorities intercepted the occupants of a boat, about 10 nautical miles south of the coast of San Pedro de Macorís, when they tried to introduce a drug shipment into the Dominican territory.
After boarding the boat, 13 bags containing the packages were confiscated and two men were arrested, both Dominicans, who were on board the 22-foot-long boat with two external engines.
In addition, during the investigation, two GPSs, a satellite phone, mobile phones, seven cans of fuel, two life jackets, tarpaulins, two beach coolers with energy drinks, water and food were confiscated.
In the second intervention, DNCD and Marina captured 10 bags containing 300 packages of a substance suspected to be cocaine from the crew of a boat that tried to land off the coast of Azua province.
During the operation, two Dominican men were confiscated and a 5.56-caliber Colt rifle, a GPS, four mobile phones, a cooler with drinks, water, food and two external engines of 60 and 75 hp were confiscated.
The announcement was made in a statement, which also indicated that the investigation was under the coordination of the Public Ministry.
Similarly, they said the maritime ban had “doubled” on the country’s coastline, leading to the confiscation of more than 600 packages of suspected cocaine in the east and south, the arrest of four Dominicans and the seizure of more evidence.
In reports of operations, it was specified that the vessels would have reached the Dominican shores of South America.
The 615 occupied packages are sent under chain of custody to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif) to determine the type and weight of the substance.