This unprecedented operation aims to combat drug trafficking from the Caribbean to Europe, where cocaine use is on the rise.
Dominican Republic Seizes Record Amount of Cocaine in Major Bust
Dominican Republic Seizes Record Amount of Cocaine in Major Bust
The Dominican authorities execute their largest cocaine seizure to date, uncovering nearly 10 tons of the illicit substance.
The Dominican Republic has made history with its largest cocaine seizure ever, confiscating a staggering 9,500 kilograms of the drug. The operation took place at a port in Santo Domingo, where the cocaine was cleverly concealed within a shipment of bananas originating from Guatemala. The National Drug Control Directorate reported that the cocaine, hidden in 320 bags, boasts an estimated street value of $250 million (£196 million).
Authorities are currently investigating at least ten individuals connected to the port, with early findings indicating attempts were made by unidentified individuals to transfer the cocaine to another container fated for delivery to Belgium. Communications chief Carlos Denvers stated, "Many unknown individuals tried to transfer the drugs to another container that would be shipped on a vessel to Belgium."
This massive seizure significantly surpasses the previous record set in 2006, when Dominican officials seized 2,580 kilograms of cocaine at the same location. Monitoring agencies have highlighted the resurgence of the Caribbean as a crucial drug trafficking route from Colombia to European markets.
As the demand for cocaine increases in several Western European countries—including the UK, Belgium, France, and Spain—a United Nations report revealed that Europe comprised 21% of the world's cocaine users in 2020. The rising cocaine usage has severe health implications, as evidenced by recent data indicating drug-poisoning deaths in England and Wales have reached a 30-year high, largely fueled by a 30% increase in cocaine-related fatalities.
Authorities are currently investigating at least ten individuals connected to the port, with early findings indicating attempts were made by unidentified individuals to transfer the cocaine to another container fated for delivery to Belgium. Communications chief Carlos Denvers stated, "Many unknown individuals tried to transfer the drugs to another container that would be shipped on a vessel to Belgium."
This massive seizure significantly surpasses the previous record set in 2006, when Dominican officials seized 2,580 kilograms of cocaine at the same location. Monitoring agencies have highlighted the resurgence of the Caribbean as a crucial drug trafficking route from Colombia to European markets.
As the demand for cocaine increases in several Western European countries—including the UK, Belgium, France, and Spain—a United Nations report revealed that Europe comprised 21% of the world's cocaine users in 2020. The rising cocaine usage has severe health implications, as evidenced by recent data indicating drug-poisoning deaths in England and Wales have reached a 30-year high, largely fueled by a 30% increase in cocaine-related fatalities.
