Dominican Republic busts alleged drug ring using east coast for South American shipments

Dominican authorities have dismantled a suspected drug trafficking network that allegedly used the country's east coast to receive illicit cargo from South America and send it to Puerto Rico. The operation, dubbed "Operación LGTCA," led to the arrest of 11 individuals and included 14 simultaneous raids across La Romana, La Altagracia, and Puerto Plata.

The Public Ministry stated that the operation successfully "dismantled" the organization. However, official reports have not detailed any drug seizures during the raids, nor specified the types or quantities of substances the network handled. The identities of those arrested also remain undisclosed.

Authorities did report the seizure of ten vehicles, several boats, GPS devices, communication equipment, money, and documents that will be used as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The group's primary base of operations was reportedly along the eastern coast, between Chavón and Bayahíbe, where they allegedly received, stored, and redistributed "multiple transnational shipments" of controlled substances annually.

Intelligence investigations suggest the organization provided services to other international networks and used speedboats to transport narcotics to Puerto Rico. The accusations will be presented in court when the Public Ministry seeks coercive measures against the detainees. The operation involved 18 prosecutors and over 300 agents from the DNCD and other state intelligence agencies.