Dominican Republic Seizes 377 Cocaine Packages in Naval Operation
BREAKING: The Dominican Republic has recovered 377 packages of cocaine from a speedboat destroyed by the U.S. Navy in a significant anti-narcotics operation. This urgent development marks a crucial collaboration between U.S. and Dominican authorities in the fight against drug trafficking, particularly in the southern Caribbean.
The operation took place approximately 80 nautical miles south of Isla Beata, a small Dominican island. The speedboat was reportedly carrying about 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, intended for transport to the United States. The Dominican Republic’s National Directorate for Drug Control confirmed the recovery during a press conference, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
In a groundbreaking statement, officials declared, “This is the first time in history that the United States and the Dominican Republic carry out a joint operation against narco-terrorism in the Caribbean.” The U.S. has recently deployed a flotilla of eight warships and a submarine to the region, with the Trump administration asserting this mission is vital for combating escalating drug trafficking.
Since the operation’s commencement in August 2023, U.S. naval forces have reportedly destroyed three drug-laden speedboats, resulting in the deaths of more than a dozen individuals aboard these vessels. Human rights groups are voicing concerns, describing these strikes as extrajudicial killings. In response, two Democratic senators introduced a resolution in Congress on Friday aimed at halting further military actions by the Trump administration.
The U.S. government claims at least two of the destroyed boats originated from Venezuela, with President Nicolas Maduro facing accusations from U.S. officials of being a drug trafficker and the leader of a gang known as the Cartel of the Suns. Maduro has vehemently denied these allegations, labeling the U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean as an aggressive attack on his nation.
This latest joint operation underscores the urgent need for international collaboration in addressing drug trafficking, a crisis affecting countless lives across the region and beyond. As developments unfold, authorities urge vigilance and cooperation among nations to combat this pervasive threat.
