In January 2026, officers at Gregorio Luperón International Airport in Puerto Plata arrested a 36-year-old U.S. citizen who had arrived on a commercial flight from the United States.
An X-ray of his luggage flagged a suitcase. Inside, officers found seven plastic packages of suspected marijuana, plus jars, rolling papers and grinders. Cash, four phones and personal documents were also taken.
Samples were sent to the national forensic institute, INACIF, to confirm the type and weight of the substance. Prosecutors and the Dominican drug control agency, the DNCD, are investigating. A photo caption said a judge would decide on his pretrial measure within hours, but the outcome is not stated. The report does not print his name.
The substance had not been confirmed by laboratory testing at the time of the report. The arrest is not a finding of guilt.
Why it matters: The Dominican Republic is a major vacation destination, and arriving flights from the U.S. are subject to luggage screening.
Source: El Día (eldia.com.do), 2026-01-07. Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting. An arrest or charge is not proof of guilt.