Dominican Republic's Historic Cocaine Bust: Largest Ever Recorded

The Dominican Republic has announced its largest cocaine seizure, pointing to rising drug trafficking concerns heading towards Europe.

In a groundbreaking operation, Dominican Republic authorities have discovered a staggering 9,500 kilograms of cocaine in what is now identified as the country's largest-ever drug seizure. The authorities found the cocaine cleverly hidden within a shipment of bananas at a port in the capital, Santo Domingo.

The illicit cargo was stashed inside 320 bags and has an estimated street value of $250 million (£196 million). Following the significant discovery, investigations have commenced, and at least 10 individuals connected to the port are under scrutiny. Early findings indicate that the bananas originated from Guatemala, according to statements from the National Drug Control Directorate.

Carlos Denvers, the agency's communications chief, stated, "Many unknown individuals tried to transfer the drugs to another container that would be shipped on a vessel to Belgium," highlighting the organized effort behind the shipment.

This haul far exceeds the previous record of 2,580 kilograms seized at the same port back in 2006, highlighting a growing trend. Recent reports indicate that the Caribbean has re-emerged as a critical drug trafficking corridor, facilitating shipments of cocaine from Colombia to Europe. European nations, including the UK, Belgium, France, and Spain, have noted an uptick in cocaine usage, accounting for 21% of the world’s cocaine consumers in 2020, as per a United Nations report.

The surge in cocaine use is raising public health concerns, with recent data revealing that drug-poisoning deaths in England and Wales have reached a record high, escalating due to a 30% increase in fatalities linked to cocaine. This situation amplifies the urgency for authorities to address the urgent crises posed by drug trafficking and consumption.