Among the detainees is major Jhoan Antonio Peralta, who was the DNCD’s inspector in Samaná, as well as first lieutenant Eligio Jiménez Valdez.

The arrest and later transfer to Santo Domingo of the enlisted men and officials comes in the wake of an investigation by the DA Juan Medina de los Santos.

Their arrest comes after a sting by undercover agents using marked bills and posing as pushers.

Medina and Police agents conducted searches where they seized 9,000 pesos in marked bills, other moneys in cash and several cell phones.

The official identified the civilian detained as Mario Roman Núñez “Canita,” arrested in the section La Pascuala, accused of keeping the money from the sting.

As scandals rock Dominican military, antinarcotics agency looks to civilians

Santo Domingo.– The senator of Peravia (south) province yesterday revealed that on instructions from president Leonel Fernandez, the country’s antinarcotics agency (DNCD) will recruit civilians, to not have to rely on military or National Police agents.

Wilton Guerrero’s announcement comes in the wake of major scandals involving agents and even senior officers who’ve been charged with taking bribes from drug dealers and other related crimes.

He also said the DNCD will incorporate the first 100 civilians beginning in August who’ve been recruited in collaboration with the US Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA.

“That’s a very positive decision, whose consecutive application is going to result in a purge of the DNCD, in its strengthening and revamp it under better conditions to fight organized crime and drug trafficking in the Dominican Republic,” Guerrero said during a visit to DNCD president Rolando Rosado.

The lawmaker, known for his harsh criticism of the constant scandals in the DNCD said the US authorities which fight drug trafficking, such as the DEA, work closely with Dominican pars.