Dominican Republic boosts arsenal as drug trafficking jumps

Santo Domingo.- US ambassador James W. Brewster on Thursday said the rise in drug trafficking through the Caribbean over the past two years is cause for concern.

The diplomat made the statement during a donation of computer equipment worth US$450,000 to National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) president Julio César Souffront.

This donation is part of a package of around US$1.5 million to connect all of the DNCD’s assets in the capital, "and this new step will allow the interconnection of all offices across the country," Souffront said.

The head of the DNCD also announced the disbursement of nearly US$1.0 million for an Italian-made plane Tecnam, which will be fitted with a radar donated by the United States.

The aircraft will join the Super Tucano squadron as Dominican Republic’s key weapon to fight drug trafficking. "The aircraft has already begun to be built and delivery is expected at the earliest."

Souffront also confirmed the rise in drug trafficking through the Eastern Caribbean, but noted the confiscation of 7,000 kilos of cocaine so far this year.