The Dominican Republic’s Northern Division of the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) recently seized 195 kilograms (429 pounds) of cocaine in the municipality of Jarabacoa in the province of La Vega. (Cris Bouroncle/AFP/Getty Images)

SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic – The Northern Division of the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) arrested five, seized 195 kilograms (429 pounds) of cocaine and dismantled a drug trafficking syndicate that was based in the municipality of Jarabacoa in the province of La Vega. Officials confiscated 174 packages of cocaine, two firearms, ammunition, two SUVs, a dump truck, a motorcycle and US $1,362 during the raid, said Abel Rojas, a DNCD spokesman, the Dominican Republic website Hoy.com reported. Rojas, however, refused to divulge further details, including the names of the detainees, because law enforcement agents still are pursuing suspects connected to the ring.

Colombian authorities seize 84 kilograms of cocaine

BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Police arrested two in connection with the recent seizure of 84 kilograms (184.8 pounds) of cocaine at the El Dorado Airport in the nation’s capital. Cesar Leonel Gómez Pineda and Edison Antonio Osuna Sánchez are suspected of placing the cocaine, which was packed in steel containers, in a hangar designated for cargo to be exported, which would have enabled it to be placed on any aircraft, police said, according to the Colombian daily El Espectador.

Brazilian authorities break up drug smuggling ring

SÃO PAULO, Brazil – Police arrested two and seized three planes and five vehicles suspected of being used to traffic narcotics during an operation law enforcement officials said dismantled a drug gang. The raid in the city of Atibaia on Aug. 25 was aimed at ceasing operations of a gang that’s suspected of trafficking a ton of cocaine monthly in the state of São Paulo, officials said. “The heads of the group are now arrested, which will make it harder for the group to be reestablished and start distributing drugs again,” said Marco Antônio Pereira dos Santos, the director of the Department of Narcotics Investigations (DENARC), the Brazilian website G1.com reported. The cocaine is suspected of being smuggled into Brazil from neighbors Bolivia and Paraguay, Santos said.

Mexico: Soldiers kill six suspected drug gang members

VERACRUZ, Mexico – Mexican soldiers killed at least six suspected members of drug gangs during recent gunfights close to where the 72 migrants were massacred last week, according to the military. The fights started earlier this week in the city of Pánuco, which borders northeastern Tamaulipas state, where there’s been an escalation in violence that’s included bombings and the slaying of a local mayor in the past week. The soldiers were attacked with fragmentation grenades and gunfire as they approached a house where gang members were thought to be living, according to a military statement. One soldier was killed, five others were injured, six suspects were apprehended and several weapons were confiscated, according to a statement by the military. Veracruz Gov. Fidel Herrera said it was “a rumor for now” that the Los Zetas, who are suspected in the slayings of 72 migrants, were involved in the gunfights in Pánuco, according to Agence France-Presse.