The Dominican Republic's National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) announced on 21/9 that it had recovered 377 packages of cocaine from a speedboat destroyed by the US military in the Caribbean Sea the previous week. DNCD spokesperson Carlos Devers said the vessel, originating from Venezuela, was destroyed about 150 km south of Beata Island, Dominican Republic.

The Dominican navy collaborated with US forces to locate and intercept the vessel after assessing that the suspects were attempting to bring a ton of drugs to the Dominican Republic, using the country as a transit point for shipment to the US.

The DNCD stated, "This is the first time in history that the US and the Dominican Republic have conducted a joint operation to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea".

The speedboat destroyed by US forces on 19/9. Photo: Truth Social/Donald J. Trump

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in the Dominican Republic confirmed that the "drug boat" mentioned in the DNCD's statement was the third vessel destroyed by US forces in the Caribbean Sea, as depicted in images and information released by President Donald Trump on 19/9.

Over the past month, the Trump administration has deployed numerous warships and aircraft to the southern Caribbean Sea as part of an operation to interdict drug trafficking. On 3/9, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the long-standing method of intercepting drug boats was ineffective, and that the US would now "blow them up" rather than pursue them.

Washington believes that at least two of the destroyed drug boats originated in Venezuela. The South American nation denies any involvement, claiming that the US is attempting to provoke them.

However, the destruction of the boats has sparked debate about the legality of the action, as drug trafficking is not a capital offense under US law. US authorities have not yet released evidence proving the boats were carrying drugs when they were attacked.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration also designated several Latin American gangs and criminal organizations, including the Tren de Aragua gang in Venezuela, as international terrorist groups. Secretary of State Rubio and Vice President JD Vance asserted this designation was made to ensure the legality of the attacks in the southern seas.

Thanh Danh (According to AP, AFP)