Dominican and US authorities intercept boat with 500kg cocaine, arresting two nationals in joint Operation Southern Spear amid regional military buildup
SANTO DOMINGO: Authorities seized approximately 500 kilograms of cocaine from a boat intercepted during a joint Dominican Republic-United States operation.
The National Drug Control Directorate stated the seizure occurred “in support of the United States Southern Command’s Operation Southern Spear.”
The agency collaborated closely with the US Drug Enforcement Administration to stop the vessel approaching Dominican coastal waters.
“The acting units carried out an extensive operation by air, sea, and land to capture several individuals” aboard the suspicious boat, the DNCD confirmed.
Authorities arrested two Dominican nationals and confiscated 484 packets of cocaine from the 27-foot-long vessel equipped with two outboard motors.
Operation Southern Spear represents part of a major US military deployment to Latin America targeting drug-trafficking operations.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the initiative on Thursday, describing it as combat against “narco-terrorist” cartels.
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro accuses US President Donald Trump of preparing operations to overthrow his government.
Since September, US forces have bombed 21 suspected drug-trafficking boats in the region, resulting in at least 80 fatalities.
The United States accuses Maduro of leading a drug cartel and offers a $50 million reward for his capture.
On Friday, Trump revealed he had “sort of” decided his next steps regarding Venezuela but declined to provide specifics. – AFP
