Nine Canadians are among 11 detained in the Dominican Republic after more than 200 packages of alleged cocaine were seized on a plane at Punta Cana International Airport, officials said.
In a press release on April 6, the country’s National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) said the plane was scheduled to fly from Punta Cana to Toronto.
The DNCD said authorities had launched a “rigorous investigation” and said they had found “eight black packages” on the plane.
“Each contains 25 packages, a total of 200,” the statement said.
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According to the report, nine Canadians, one from India and another from the Dominican Republic were “questioned to determine their possible participation”.
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“An extensive investigation is under way into the case, and the State Department, assisted by DNCD agents, is working hard to establish clearly who is directly involved in the seizure,” the statement said.
The DNCD said the crew, passengers and “others under investigation” as well as the plane were now “under the control of the Minister of State” as the investigation continued.
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According to the report, the packages seized during the search were sent to the country’s National Institute of Forensic Science to determine the “exact type and weight of the substance”.
Global News contacted Global Affairs Canada, which said it was aware of the detention of Canadian citizens in the Dominican Republic and “provides consular assistance and contacts with Canadian citizens’ families.”
“The first priority of the Government of Canada is always the safety and security of its citizens,” a spokesman said in an email.
But Global Affairs Canada said no other information could be disclosed for privacy reasons.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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