Dominican authorities seize 228 packages of presumed cocaine bound for Puerto Rico
Two simultaneous operations in a Santo Domingo port and Punta Cana airport netted 203 packages hidden in a container trailer destined for Puerto Rico and 25 packages in a traveler's luggage.
File photoThe short version
- Acento reported that 203 packages were found in a double-bottom compartment in a container trailer at Puerto de Don Diego in Santo Domingo whose destination was Puerto Rico
- El Dia.com.do reported that authorities worked more than 10 hours with drilling tools to extract the packages after intelligence detected structural anomalies
- A 34-year-old Dutch citizen was detained at Punta Cana International Airport with 25 packages in his suitcase while attempting to fly to Paris according to both outlets
- One man was arrested in the port case and additional items including a vehicle two mobile phones and cash were seized both sources state
Seizures in port and airport
Dominican authorities seized 228 packages of presumed cocaine in two simultaneous operations according to the Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD). Acento reported that 203 packages were hidden in a double-bottom compartment in the rear of a container trailer at the port of Don Diego in Santo Domingo. The container was destined for Puerto Rico the outlet said.
The discovery followed intelligence reports and detection of irregularities in the trailer's structure. Agents required more than ten hours of work using drilling tools to extract the cargo El Dia.com.do reported. One man was arrested in connection with the port case while investigations continue to identify other possible participants the DNCD stated through both outlets.
Airport interception
In a simultaneous operation at Punta Cana International Airport agents detained a 34-year-old Dutch citizen who intended to travel to Paris with 25 packages of presumed cocaine hidden in a suitcase Acento reported. The inspection followed detection of suspicious images by operational teams canine units and customs personnel according to the DNCD.
The man is to be presented before the Permanent Attention jurisdiction of La Altagracia province to face charges under Law 50-88 on drugs and controlled substances both sources stated. The 228 packages were sent to the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses under chain of custody to determine type and exact weight.
Where the sources differ
Both Acento and El Dia.com.do agree on the total of 228 packages (203 in the port operation and 25 at the airport), the destination of the port shipment as Puerto Rico, the more than ten hours of extraction work at the port, the arrest of one man in the port case, the detention of the 34-year-old Dutch national at Punta Cana, the items seized in the port case, and that the packages were sent to INACIF. Acento states the DNCD informed on Sunday while El Dia.com.do does not specify a day for the announcement or operations. Both name the DEA among supporting agencies though El Dia.com.do additionally names the INL.
What the reports do not say
The sources do not state when the operations actually took place, the exact weight or confirmed identity of the substance, the identity or nationality of the man arrested in the port case, the amount of cash seized, the destination airport in Puerto Rico if any, or whether any additional arrests have been made since the announcement.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Ocupan 228 paquetes de cocaína en el puerto de Santo Domingo y aeropuerto de Punta Cana
- Reporting Ocupan 228 paquetes de cocaína en el puerto de Santo Domingo y aeropuerto de Punta Cana
- Reporting DNCD incauta 228 paquetes de cocaína en Puerto Don Diego y Punta Cana
How we checked this
Acento and El Dia.com.do both drew directly from the same DNCD information. Details such as the ten-hour extraction, the double-bottom compartment, the Dutch citizen's age and travel plans, and the ongoing investigation into international networks rest on the official DNCD account released through these outlets.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.