SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — On Friday, officials in the Dominican Republic revealed that they had intercepted close to 9.5 tons of cocaine, marking this event as the most significant drug bust in the nation’s history.

The illicit drugs, valued at around $250 million, were discovered concealed within a banana shipment that had arrived at the Caucedo port, the primary maritime gateway of the country’s capital, Santo Domingo. According to Carlos Devers, a spokesperson for the Dominican Republic’s Anti-Drug Agency, the cargo originated from Guatemala and was intended for distribution in Belgium.

In connection with the seizure, ten individuals have been apprehended, as stated during a press conference.

This year alone, authorities have confiscated nearly 47 tons of narcotics, showcasing a robust effort in combating drug trafficking within the region.

Previously, the largest seizure recorded took place in 2006, where over 2,580 kilograms (or more than 5,680 pounds) of drugs were found at the same Caucedo port.

Historically, the Dominican Republic has been regarded as a crucial transit hub for drug trafficking activities.