DEA, Dominican Officials Assist In Operation

US Customs and Border Protection Caribbean Air and Marine Branch reported Monday the seizure of approximately 528 pound of cocaine worth just under $3.5 million in the Dominican Republic May 16.

This interdiction was part of an ongoing enforcement operation by CBP, US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Dominican Republic's National Drug Control Directorate to disrupt illegal drug smuggling air routes from South America to Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

The CBP Caribbean Air and Marine Branch Friday launched air assets toward a northbound suspect aircraft. The fixed-winged surveillance aircraft tracked the plane on its way to the Dominican Republic.

A CBP Blackhawk helicopter was directed to the scene for possible interdiction. As the CBP aircraft approached the suspect aircraft, agents observed the drop of eight bales of cocaine from the aircraft. 

The tactical response team, consisting of DEA special agents and Dominican National Drug Control Directorate enforcement personnel, was then deployed and recovered the bales of cocaine and arrested one suspect on the ground.

The cocaine and subject will remain in the custody of the Dominican National Drug Control Directorate. 

FMI: www.cbp.gov, www.dhs.gov