PUNTA CANA.- The National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) and the Specialized Airport Security Corps, with support from the Public Ministry, apprehended a Portuguese man at the Punta Cana International Airport. He was attempting to leave the country with capsules allegedly containing cocaine hidden in his stomach.
The man, who was trying to board a flight to Paris, France, was detained during a routine examination. Foreign objects were detected in his digestive tract, triggering the standard protocol for such cases.
In the presence of a prosecutor, the accused was transferred to a healthcare center for a radiological examination that confirmed the presence of controlled substances. The process of expelling the capsules began under supervision.
After several hours, the man expelled a total of 76 bags, believed to contain cocaine, with a preliminary weight of 1.2 kilograms.
“The detainee, who will be identified in due course, is being handed over to the authorities to face charges for violating Law 50-88 on drugs and controlled substances,” said a spokesperson.
This arrest highlights the importance of strengthening intelligence work and improving surveillance and security controls at airports and ports. The Public Ministry and the DNCD continue their investigation, and the seized substance has been sent to the Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for further analysis.