Dominican Republic: Two Israeli citizens were detained with 16 packages of suspected cocaine in Punta Cana

Agents detected irregularities in the luggage through X-ray scanners that revealed hidden compartments with false bottoms. (Courtesy: National Drug Control Directorate)Two 38-year-old Israeli citizens were arrested at Punta Cana International Airport when they allegedly attempted to travel to Frankfurt, Germany, with 16 packages of a substance believed to be cocaine hidden in two suitcases with false bottoms. According to the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), which reported the operation this Saturday, it involved the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Specialized Airport Security and Civil Aviation Corps (CESAC), and Customs personnel. Authorities intercepted the travelers in one of the departure areas of the airport terminal before they boarded the commercial flight bound for German territory. The case was placed under investigation to determine whether the detainees were part of a network dedicated to shipping drugs to Europe using people recruited to carry illicit substances in their luggage. Two Israeli citizens were arrested at Punta Cana International Airport as they attempted to travel to Frankfurt with 16 packages of suspected cocaine. (Courtesy: National Drug Control Directorate)The DNCD indicated that the intervention began during profiling and inspection procedures carried out at the airport in the province of La Altagracia. Both passengers' luggage passed through an X-ray machine, where agents detected images they considered suspicious. Faced with that situation, they activated the inspection protocol and requested the presence of an assistant prosecutor to open the suitcases. In one of the pieces of luggage, the operating teams found a hidden compartment containing seven packages wrapped with adhesive tape and plastic sleeves. The second suitcase also had a modified internal structure. There they located nine additional packages. According to the official report, the total amounts to 16 packages of suspected cocaine, although the type of substance and its exact weight still must be determined through forensic analysis. Agents also seized three cell phones, electronic devices, cash in foreign currency, passports, and other personal documents. Those items were placed at the disposal of investigators, who are seeking to reconstruct the suspects' route and determine whether others are involved. Intelligence agencies are investigating whether an international criminal structure recruits travelers to ship narcotics to the European continent. (Courtesy: National Drug Control Directorate)The DNCD noted that this is the second case recently recorded at Punta Cana International Airport in which Israeli citizens have been detained for transporting drugs in suitcases with false bottoms. Based on that coincidence, the intelligence agencies of the anti-narcotics entity and the Public Prosecutor's Office expanded their investigations to clarify whether both incidents are linked to a transnational criminal structure that would recruit Israeli citizens to transport narcotics from the Dominican Republic to European countries. The detected method involves altering suitcases to hide packages inside secret compartments. This system allows the cargo to be concealed among the internal layers of the luggage, although images obtained by X-ray checks can reveal irregularities in the structure of the suitcases. The packages were packaged under chain of custody and sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif). The two defendants were placed at the disposal of the La Altagracia Public Prosecutor's Office, which plans to request coercive measures in the coming hours. The investigation falls under Law 50-88 on drugs and controlled substances, according to the DNCD.