Dominican Republic: Authorities seized 195 kilograms of cocaine

By Dialogo
September 01, 2010

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic – The Northern Division of the National
Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) arrested five, seized 195 kilograms (429 pounds)
of cocaine and dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate that was based in the
municipality of Jarabacoa in the province of La Vega. Officials confiscated 174
packages of cocaine, two firearms, ammunition, two SUVs, a dump truck, a motorcycle
and US $1,362 during the raid, said Abel Rojas, a DNCD spokesman, the Dominican
Republic website Hoy.com reported. Rojas, however, refused to
divulge further details, including the names of the detainees, because law
enforcement agents still are pursuing suspects connected to the ring.


Colombian authorities seize 84 kilograms of cocaine


BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Police arrested two in connection with the recent
seizure of 84 kilograms (184.8 pounds) of cocaine at the El Dorado Airport in the
nation’s capital. Cesar Leonel Gómez Pineda and Edison Antonio Osuna Sánchez are
suspected of placing the cocaine, which was packed in steel containers, in a hangar
designated for cargo to be exported, which would have enabled it to be placed on any
aircraft, police said, according to the Colombian daily El Espectador.

Brazilian authorities break up drug smuggling ring


SÃO PAULO, Brazil – Police arrested two and seized three planes and
five vehicles suspected of being used to traffic narcotics during an operation law
enforcement officials said dismantled a drug gang. The raid in the city of Atibaia
on Aug. 25 was aimed at ceasing operations of a gang that’s suspected of trafficking
a ton of cocaine monthly in the state of São Paulo, officials said. “The heads of
the group are now arrested, which will make it harder for the group to be
reestablished and start distributing drugs again,” said Marco Antônio Pereira dos
Santos, the director of the Department of Narcotics Investigations (DENARC), the
Brazilian website G1.com reported. The cocaine is suspected of
being smuggled into Brazil from neighbors Bolivia and Paraguay, Santos said.

Mexico: Soldiers kill six suspected drug gang members


VERACRUZ, Mexico – Mexican soldiers killed at least six suspected
members of drug gangs during recent gunfights close to where the 72 migrants were
massacred last week, according to the military. The fights started earlier this week
in the city of Pánuco, which borders northeastern Tamaulipas state, where there’s
been an escalation in violence that’s included bombings and the slaying of a local
mayor in the past week. The soldiers were attacked with fragmentation grenades and
gunfire as they approached a house where gang members were thought to be living,
according to a military statement. One soldier was killed, five others were injured,
six suspects were apprehended and several weapons were confiscated, according to a
statement by the military. Veracruz Gov. Fidel Herrera said it was “a rumor for now”
that the Los Zetas, who are suspected in the slayings of 72 migrants, were involved
in the gunfights in Pánuco, according to Agence France-Presse.