“In the luggage of the young young Belgian were 14 packages with a white powder that the customs authorities suspect to be cocaine,” reports the drug police DNCD of the Dominican Republic. Our compatriot had not gone to great lengths to hide the drugs. Video images from the police show that in addition to the packages with coke, only two white towels were left in the suitcase.
“The Belgian has been arrested and is at the disposal of the court in the province of La Altagracia. Authorities are investigating whether anyone else is involved in the drug smuggling.”
The future of the 25-year-old does not look rosy. Drug smuggling carries years of prison terms in the Dominican Republic, the Foreign Office warns, even for small amounts.
In addition, the vigilance for drug smuggling at the airports has been shipped there. “Tourists traveling back to Brussels may be subject to additional checks,” it said. “It is also best to keep an eye on your luggage so that nothing can be tucked in unnoticed. Also, under no circumstances should the request of strangers to take parcels be accepted, even if the most convincing arguments are put forward for this. After all, the packages in question may contain drugs.”