The Dominican Republic disrupted organized crime and narcotrafficking networks in June. In different operations, authorities seized 2,009 kilograms of cocaine and carried out a series of house searches.
On June 26, 2021, the Dominican National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD, in Spanish) reported the seizure of 173 kg of cocaine in Santo Domingo. Thanks to intelligence work, officers intercepted a truck driver when he was leaving a house used to store drugs.
For its part, the Specialized Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Office carried out Operation Harsh Blow (Operación Duro Golpe) on June 19 to weaken the financial structure of a narcotrafficking organization. According to a press release, agents conducted 12 simultaneous raids on the organization’s buildings and arrested Franklyn Ravelo and Brayan Alcántara, members of the criminal network that smuggled drugs overseas, especially to Puerto Rico.
The Dominican Navy, with the support of the French Navy, seized 501 kg of cocaine 40 nautical miles south of the Dominican Republic, on June 18, 2021. (Photo: Dominican National Drug Control Directorate)
The properties were located in the Sabana de la Mar, Hato Mayor del Rey, and San Pedro de Macorís municipalities. Authorities raided commercial premises, apartments, and houses that belonged to the criminal network. In the buildings, agents also seized documents, bank accounts, and contracts for the next phase of the investigation.
In another operation, coordinated with the French Navy, service members of the Dominican Navy seized 501 kg of cocaine on June 18. Two Dominicans were carrying the drug on a speedboat, 40 nautical miles south of the island.
On June 17, authorities seized 278 kg of cocaine off the coast of Bayahibe, Altagracia province, with the support of the Dominican Navy. According to the DNCD, authorities seized the drug from four Colombians who were also traveling in a speedboat.
International cooperation in the fight against narcotrafficking has been vital to confront these narcotrafficking networks; the support has been decisive. We are very satisfied [with the help] by land and air. As we continue to have cohesion and unity, we will be dealing more forceful blows to these criminal structures,” said Carlos Devers, DNCD spokesman.
On June 12, during a ground interdiction operation in the Bahoruco community, Barahona province, anti-drug agents seized 173 kg of cocaine from a criminal group that was hiding the cache in a house of the area. Agents arrested seven people who are connected to an international narcotrafficking network, including a Colombian national who was not identified.
Finally, on June 1, the DNCD seized 884 kg of cocaine in two joint operations conducted off the coasts of Barahona and the Caucedo Multimodal Port. In the first operation, authorities seized 624 kg of the drug 34 nautical miles southeast of Enriquillo municipality. In the second operation, they seized 259 kg in the Caucedo Multimodal Port.
