Dominican Republic National killed by US Coast Guards while smuggling $11M worth of cocaine

According to the information available, the report of the death was disclosed by the US Coast Guard on Thursday. The two other suspects were caught eventually and are awaiting federal prosecution.

Monday, 15th January 2024

Dominican Republic National dies while trying to smuggle $11M worth of cocaine (Representative Image)

Dominican Republic: A trafficker from the Dominican Republic lost his life after the US Coast Guard opened fire on his boat carrying $11 million worth of cocaine. As per reports, three men were onboard the vessel and were trying to flee from authorities in the Caribbean Sea when this incident happened. According to the information available, the report of the death was disclosed by the US Coast Guard on Thursday. The two other suspects were caught eventually and are awaiting federal prosecution. The ship was carrying a total of 385 kilograms (850 pounds) of cocaine. In an official statement, Lt. Cmdr. John W. Beal, Coast Guard District Seven public affairs officer, said that the Coast Guard takes any loss of life very seriously and is working to investigate this unfortunate incident in accordance with the policy of the Coast Guard. The agency added that this incident began on January 1 when a US Coast Guard Law Enforcement detachment deployed aboard a US Navy Ship in the Caribbean Sea. This deployment was for a counter-drug patrol, which identified a vessel suspected of smuggling narcotics. The officials tried to stop the vessel but failed, following which the Coast Guard District Seven authorized airborne use of force in accordance with policy, which included warning shots and disabling fire, for a non-compliant vessel suspected of smuggling illicit narcotics in international waters. When the officials were eventually successful in stopping and boarding the craft, they found that one of the three men suffered an injury because of the use of high force. Immediately, the Navy and Coast Guard did first aid on the individuals before they were shifted to a Navy Ship. The ship then took the injured person to a medical care facility in the Dominican Republic, where officials the following day declared that he had succumbed to his injuries. The people on social media were left following this incident, with some saying, "Commit a crime and suffer the consequences". "Government should work extremely hard to catch others who are also in this kind of business," said another user.