Agents seize 1,020K heroin near Bani, two arrests

Santo Domingo.- The Antinarcotics agency (DNCD) on Tuesday announced the arrest of two alleged heads of an international drug trafficking network operating out of southern Peravia Province, where they recruited "mules" to smuggle cocaine and heroin to the United States and Europe.

DNCD spokesman Miguel Medina said 1,020 kilos of heroin in 50 bricks were seized near the city of Bani, and arrested the "mule" Fanny Elizabeth Testamark Venesia, 48, native of Tortola, BVI, and the alleged recruiter, Dominican national César Riquelmi Villar, 36.

The official said the arrests were made during an operation at the Las Americas Airport parking lot, where Testamark tried to board Delta flight DL488 to New York City, with 50 bags of heroin taped to her body.

He said the network was busted as the result of a months-long investigation jointly with the National District Office of the Prosecutor.