Dominican Republic Makes Largest Cocaine Seizure in Nation's History

Authorities confiscated 9.5 tons of cocaine hidden in a banana shipment destined for Europe, valued at $250 million.

The record-breaking 9.5-ton cocaine haul was discovered at the Caucedo port in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic's most important seaport.
The drugs, concealed in 320 bags within a shipment of bananas from Guatemala, were intended for transport to Belgium.
Authorities have detained 10 suspects connected to the shipment and are conducting further investigations into the operation.
This seizure far surpasses the previous national record of 2.5 tons of cocaine confiscated at the same port in 2006.
The Dominican Republic, a major transit point for drug trafficking, has seized nearly 47 tons of drugs in 2024, highlighting the region’s role in the global narcotics trade.