Antinarcotics mum on 9 military linked to 450 bricks of drugs

Santo Domingo.- Dominican Republic’s antinarcotics agency (DNCD) has yet to file charges or disclose the names of nine members of the military linked to the 450 bricks of drugs brought from Venezuela, seized at Las Americas International Airport on March 17.

In contrast Venezuelan authorities have identified, apprehended and charged their nationals who took part in the attempted smuggling.

At first the DNCD said four military were detained in the operation, but a source quoted by Acento.com.do revealed that five other officers were arrested in connection with the same case.

The military investigation confirmed that the plane –tail number YV544T, model LJ25- which had smuggled the drug had been used in two other fights to haul cocaine to various airports.

Meanwhile the crew and two of the aircraft’s alleged passengers, , were charged, but “nothing is known of the 9 soldiers involved in this case.”

The DNCD not reported whether they were seized drugs owners who hired the military for air Las Americas freight terminal.

Acento reports that a senior military source said the discharge of at least five officers has been request and/or forced to retire due for links with the ring that shipped drugs from Venezuela.