Authorities in the Dominican Republic have confiscated nearly 9.5 tonnes of cocaine, marking the largest drug seizure in the country’s history. The drugs, valued at $250 million (£196 million), were found hidden in a shipment of bananas that arrived at Caucedo, the country’s primary seaport in Santo Domingo.
Cocaine Shipment Bound for Belgium Seized in Historic Bust
The shipment, which had come from Guatemala, was intended for Belgium, according to Carlos Devers, a spokesperson for the Dominican Republic’s anti-drug agency. Investigations revealed that unknown individuals attempted to transfer the drugs to another container bound for Europe.
Ten suspects have been arrested in connection with the operation. This seizure surpasses the previous record of 2.6 tonnes confiscated in Caucedo in 2006.
So far this year, Dominican authorities have seized nearly 47 tonnes of illegal drugs. According to InSight Crime, a think tank focused on organized crime, these record-breaking seizures indicate that the Caribbean is becoming a major trafficking route for cocaine heading to Europe. This shift is driven by rising demand and increased efforts by traffickers to meet it, with large Dominican transport hubs providing opportunities for smuggling operations.
