 Plantains are a Dominican Republic staple, consumed at any stage after harvesting - green, semi-ripe or over ripe - and now drug smugglers have found yet another use for them.
The National Drug Control Department (DNCD) found a shipment to New York yesterday that had 117 tubes of cocaine inside a container full of plantains.
As yet, the DNCD has not announced any arrests in the case.
The drugs were placed “at random in boxes containing ‘rulos’ (a variety of plantain) inside a container parked in the cargo area,” said DNCD spokesman Roberto Lebron. “The suspects in the case took the ‘rulos’, they peeled them, put plastic bags full of a white powder inside and then closed them carefully.”
Source: hispanicallyspeakingnews.com
UPDATE: Seized cocaine-stuffed plantains were headed to New York. The bananas stuffed with 117 tubes of cocaine was found in a container in Las Americas International Airport. The drug was packed by a company identified as “Compañía Vegetales Santiago,” located in Moca. It said three people were detained for questioning thus far and the arrest of others is expected in the next few hours.
Related story!
La Romana Airport agents seize 20 suitcases full of cocaine
DominicanToday.com - The Specialized Airport Security Corps (CESA) seized 20 suitcases filled with a drug in the the La Romana International Airport (east), reportedly headed to Belgium.
The drug was handed over to the National Drugs Control Agency (DNCD) to determine its weight and type.
CESA PR department director Fidel Sanchez provided the information.
DNCD president Rolando Rosado revealed that 15 people are being questioned in the case, various members of security agencies among them.
Update from Washington Post
By Associated Press, Friday, December 16, 6:04 AM
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Authorities in the Dominican Republic say they have arrested two Europeans and 15 local police officers for alleged involvement in a cocaine shipment seized at an airport.
The Caribbean country’s National Drug Control Directorate says Thursday’s arrests are tied to a one-ton cargo of cocaine to shipped on a flight to Antwerp, Belgium.
Agency spokesman Roberto Lebron identifies the two foreigners as Nicolas Johannes Maria of the Netherlands and Edgar Rowson of Britain. He says officers are also looking for several Lebanese citizens.
Lebron says the arrested police officers worked at the airport in La Romana on its security force, the immigration service and the anti-drug agency itself
Banana Republic by Leonel Fernandez !!
Dominican Watchdog Note: Leonel Fernandez and his corrupt government has created the best possible conditions for drug lords in the Dominican Republic. Until recently most of them were free and had plenty of time to set up the powerful networks used for distribution today. One of the drug lords was even invited to the Presidential Palace and wrote a check of half a million pesos to Leonel personally. That check is partly the reason he has been able to stay out of jail despite an arrest warrant...... read more and see the check here!! |
