Spanish
Santo Domingo. – Dominican authorities reported the arrest of eight people, including Venezuelan citizens, a Colombian, and two Dominicans, allegedly linked to a significant cocaine shipment recently seized in the country's southern waters.
The operation, led by the National Drug Control Directorate, allowed for the capture of the suspects through simultaneous actions carried out in different parts of the national territory.
Five of the detainees are of Venezuelan nationality, while the group is completed by a Colombian citizen and two Dominicans. The arrests of the foreigners took place in the Vacacional de Haina, in the province of San Cristóbal, while the Dominicans were arrested in the La Placeta sector, in Azua.
According to the authorities, those involved are related to the seizure of more than sixteen hundred packages of cocaine, seized during a maritime operation carried out off the coast of Pedernales. The stash was being transported in a "narco-boat" type vessel, which attempted to evade official pursuit.
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The DNCD explained that, during the intervention, the occupants of the boat ran the vessel aground in a coastal area and opened fire on the agents, which generated an exchange of gunfire before abandoning the cargo.
The operation also involved members of the Dominican Navy, the General Directorate of Migration, and the Public Ministry, with international support from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Southern Interagency Task Force.
Authorities highlighted that these criminal structures operate using fast boats with advanced technology, with the aim of introducing large volumes of drugs into the country from South America.
The case remains under investigation, while the Public Prosecutor's Office proceeds with the legal process against the detainees.
