Updated on October 11, 2022 - Written by Xavier Davidson. As the economy suffers in the Dominican Republic, drug treatment programs take a back seat to simple basics such as food, shelter, and education for the citizens. So is it safe to travel to Punta Cana specifically? Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Many Dominican Republic warnings and dangers revolve around transit and traffic. Plus, a recent and high-profile series of traveler deaths in the Dominican Republic have sent the countrys tourism numbers spiraling. Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. Disclaimer: Individual results are not guaranteed and mayvary. Its not infrequent for Caucedo employees to be linked to seizures. Q5. Heres the comprehensive Punta Cana safety advice you need to know. However, an FBI investigation into three of the deaths revealed no evidence of tainted alcohol or foul play, and officials in both the Dominican Republic and the U.S. have asserted that the number of tourist deaths in the country is not out of line for such a popular destination. As with other destinations, visitors to DR should never buy illegal drugs. Its also worth noting that the Dominican Republics risk of natural disasters is higher than in many other places, and the nation is susceptible to environmental calamity, including hurricanes, tropical storms and depressions, earthquakes, floods, droughts, and other forms of extreme weather. Please note that illegal drugs are not welcome in the Dominican Republic and there are tough . Ans: No, not exactly. All sentences are served in the Dominican Republic. But in the case of suppliers and financiers, the exact sentence is determined by the judge who questions the guilty and is taking a trial. What are you going to do if your luggage inadvertently gets left on the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? However, whereas almost every other Caribbean nation is currently looking at reforming their marijuana laws to at least legalize medical use and two, Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines have already done so the Dominican Republic is out of step in having no plans to reform its laws. The group was most likely using a sophisticated and increasingly popular method of cocaine concealment called in and out. Unlike the well-known rip-on/rip-off method, in which traffickers open the containers and add cocaine to existing cargo, traffickers using the in and out remove their cocaine from the port after its arrival and store the drugs in modified containers outside of the port. US$868.35). Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Therefore, stay away from weed, as jails are not a nice place to spend your life. SAI helps to place students in study abroad programs. Caucedo port authorities admit that drugs get through and shipments are contaminated in spite of strong security measures. This will prove to the Immigration authorities that you are carrying the drugs for your own consumption. Please note that illegal drugs are not welcome in the Dominican Republic and there are tough laws against . Ans: No, It Doesnt matter if you are taking Marijuana as a medicine or for recreational purposes; you will end up in jail. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. In accordance with 21 CFR 1301.34 (a), this is notice that on March 16, 2023, Pfizer Inc., 445 Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340-5157, applied to be registered as an importer of the following basic class (es) of controlled substance (s): The company plans to import the listed controlled substance as finished dosage units for use . The paramedics wanted to determine what meds she was taking but her luggage was halfway to Cleveland by this time. Increased drug seizures in 2021 led to the port of Caucedo being certified under the US Container Security Initiative and the Dominican Republic receiving public recognition from the US State Department for its "political will to reduce the flow of drugs into the country." But drug traffickers have managed to stay ahead at every turn. Yes! Dont take the decision to drive here lightlyand if you do choose to drive, do so defensively and cautiously. the Dominican Republic's telecom sector continued its solid form throughout 2020 and into 2021, . Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. The state has beautiful beaches with lush greenery. But interdiction efforts began to clamp down on Colombian operations. News stories, speeches, letters and notices, Reports, analysis and official statistics, Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports. - there is no requirement for a script in the DR. Painkillers (narcotic or not) however, are very tightly regulated and many doctors don't have the right credentials to write prescriptions for them as a specill license is required. Jan 23, 2013, 09:15 AM EST. When other Caribbean ports got too hot, meaning there was too much successful interdiction, the Dominican Republic could be used as a layover point to throw off law enforcement looking for people coming directly from Venezuela, Aruba or Suriname. Instead, use a reputable tour company or hire a private driver who comes recommended from your resort or a well-reviewed travel agency. In addition, the rate of HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic is high, even as compared to other Central American and Caribbean countries. What are the weed shakes and how can you prevent them? If two or more people conspire to commit crimes under Law 50-88, each one of them may be subject to a prison term of three to 10 years and a minimum fine of 10,000 Pesos. Source: https://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/. I have a medical marijuana card from another American state. CBD oil is considered a cannabis product, and is therefore illegal in the Dominican Republic, in line with all other cannabis products. - Utilize evidence-based, feasible, and cost-effective practices to prevent and reduce harm; 36 reviews. Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Read this information and advice page for the LGBT community before you travel. Ans: Buying and selling weed would lead you to jail. Defined as possession of Hashish 1/4 pound or more. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Know where to goand where not to go. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Trucks have recently been used to move cocaine within the port. The Dominican Republic is a Christian country with prominent Catholic and evangelical communities. In response, a spokesperson for Caucedo said the port has maintained high-security standards and has worked with authorities to prevent illegal activities, but declined to discuss specifics, citing security and reputational concerns. The law states that the possession of any quantity of Marijuana, whether for medical or recreational purposes, is entirely illegal. The advisory cites the Dominican Republic crime rate and states, "The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illicit drugs, and a weak criminal justice system contribute to the high . Drug-related murders have risen dramatically, now far exceeding the level of drug-related deaths in Mexico. Sign up for our free newsletter. Q10. Nearly all Dominican hotels welcome LGBT clients, although confirmation with booking agents is advised. Still, travelers wondering whether Sosua is safe have concerns that arent entirely unfounded: Recent tourist deaths in Sosua have been victims of armed robberies, and have also been mysterious, with no clear cause of death. Luggage can get lost That's all I ever take is labeled bottles. [1] You will pay a heavy fine or may be sent to prison for at least two years. One common question arises for many travelers considering a trip: Where is Punta Cana? And if: Dextromethorphan/DXM Cough Medicines are available. Indeed, you would not like to visit the Dominican prison when you are on vacation. Running the biggest port in the Dominican Republic, located just east of the capital, Santo Domingo, is busy work. The Zika virus is still of concern throughout the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribbean, so bring and wear mosquito repellent. An advantage owned by the Dominican criminal organizations was that there were already hundreds of thousands of their kinsmen in the states, particularly in large Eastern cities such as New York and Washington, DC. The United States has announced the withdrawal of key anti-drug personnel from Ecuador in an apparent tit-for-tat reaction to the, Though a casual observer might view President Enrique Pea Nieto's strategy for combating gangsters as much the same as his, As Russia deepens its military and counternarcotics involvement in Latin America, the United States has to decide whether this. Know Here. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In another case, authorities used stamps to match an unidentified batch of drugs moving through the ports customs to another batch confiscated days earlier, suggesting it had been temporarily stashed. Public displays of affection (such as hand-holding or kissing) between . Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Will help with questions. FAQs: Is weed legal in the Dominican Republic? 9. For more information, please see our Challenges. Although drug use is still relatively low in the Caribbean country . Category three offenders are considered traffickers, and are liable to serve five to twenty years in jail, plus pay a fine of the equivalent value to the drugs seized, but not less than RD$50,000. Mike Pesca/NPR Enlarge this image One store didn't carry Primobolan but had Anabolex, the. Ans: Unfortunately, if you are caught with the stuff, you will have to face the trial. I do need to have it at hand so do not trust to pack it in my checked bag. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Though her case is extreme, thefts are common in Puerto Plata, so leave valuables at home or keep them locked away out of sight. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Dimenhydrinate containing sickness pills are available. Cloning a seal requires that drug traffickers have access to shipping documents and then gain access to the containers themselves. Unpredictable driving patterns are a serious danger. In fact, thanks to the huge amounts of drugs smuggled north through the region from South America, cannabis is highly illegal on almost every Caribbean island, and the Dominican Republic is no exception. I always take my meds in a plastic days of the week container, no labels, just meds and vitamins, is there a problem with this? Again, its better to hire a professional driver through a reputable travel agency or via your hotel. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. For bringing illegal drugs into the Dominican Republic for the purpose of international trafficking, five to 30 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of 250,000 Pesos (Art. Thanks for the info. Weed is now legal in the Dominican Republic. I was told by posters here to make sure the rx is in the original bottle and we carried them on. Drug offenses are serious crimes in the Dominican Republic. More queries? Travel Smarter! So dont even think about weed, and stay out of trouble. I know you want to know more about the cannabis laws in the Dominican Republic; stay with us! To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Avoid all contact with drug dealers This may seem like obvious advice, but locals like cab drivers or beach vendors could offer to sell you small amounts of marijuana or cocaine. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. This message was reinforced by slick marketing videos found online and glossy posters that lined the walls of Caucedos administrative buildings. Crime in Punta Cana is significantly lower than it is in the rest of the Dominican Republic. The speculation for the causes of these Dominican Republic deaths includes bootleg alcoholsome of the travelers died soon after drinking from the minibaras well as improper use of pesticides at the resorts. Its a severely punishable offense. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. In the largest haul that month, just under 1.2 tons of cocaine were confiscated from a container on its way to Rotterdam. It is illegal to bring a prescription item into Canada without a valid prescription for it, even for personal use, check out the Food and Drug Act to be sure. Possession of even small quantities can lead to a long prison sentence and a hefty fine. However, that doesnt mean that Punta Cana doesnt have its own dangers, although you shouldnt necessarily let Punta Cana warnings keep you from hitting its beautiful beaches and resorts. Hence you must be aware of the rules and regulations of the country. What adaptor do I need for my electric appliances? There have also been ocean drownings in this region because of strong undertows, so always avoid swimming alone and make sure to check local conditions before heading into the water. If youre female, you should be even more vigilant, as its not uncommon for women to be harassed or attacked here. But like other global ports, Caucedo cannot afford to scan every container passing through its docks. 2023 Smarter Travel Media LLC. Ketamine Hydrochloride. The cargoes would then move on to other areas by sea or air. Does this mean I need a copy of the original written script from my doctor or does the pharmacy receipt and prescription bottle suffice? Although most of Punta Cana and other tourist areas in the Dominican Republic are relatively safe, if you stray from where most travelers stay and end up in other parts of the country, you could find yourself in places known for high rates of violent crime. Drug offenses are serious crimes in the Dominican Republic. These cookies do not store any personal information. There are three categories for both substances: A category one offense is considered possession, and carries a penalty of six months to two years in jail, plus a fine of between RD$1500 (approx. - Accept, for better and or worse, that licit & illicit drug use is part of our world and choose to work to minimize its harmful effects rather than simply ignore or condemn them ; Not only is it inadvisable to be in an altered state in a place that youre unfamiliar with, but the legal consequences here are severe. Q6. While it may seem harmless in the moment, the Dominican Republics legal system takes drug offenses very seriously and comes down hard on anyone suspected of possessionto the tune of a year-long detention even before trial. We are participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Re: Purchasing prescription meds in Punta Cana. If the temptation of getting high on the beach is . Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Lady, that's what I did..Just the bottles with labels, and in the carryon. They realized that the unintercepted part of the shipment had been smuggled into the port on the very same day. Do you know if ketamine is legal to buy in the Dom. Pack your own luggage and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else. I don't have any "original" receipts, just bottles with labels. As others have said though - take them in your hand luggage. Cannabis cultivation checklist: all you need to know to make your plants thrive, How to grow marijuana in Missouri (legally), Weed stems: heres what you should (and shouldnt) do with them, Best strains and terpenes for focus and flow state, Whats the deal with ketamine? In addition, avoid walking around Puerto Plata at night, especially in isolated areas, and especially if youre alone. Sosua, along with other Dominican Republic towns including Bavaro, Boca Chica, Cabarete, and Juan Dolio, has also been found to be a place of frequent sexual exploitation, particularly of children, so travelers who aim to avoid destinations that are hot spots for human trafficking might decide to steer clear of Sosua. WE, VOXXI. Seizures at ports and airports around the Dominican Republic have increased. The report details how authorities have traced the journey of specific drug packages through the Dominican Republic by tracking the distinctive stamps traffickers use to identify the multiple drug bundles within large shipments. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores. When I started in 2010, cloning seals was unusual in the country. However, smoking in public is tolerated. Legal system. Minimum Sentence: Imprisonment- 3 years; and fine- $10,oo0 Dominican pesos. Very often, Dominican gangs move their shipments to Puerto Rico rather than directly into the US as cargoes from Puerto Rico to the U.S. are not considered international shipments and are not scrutinized as thoroughly. As some of the Atlantic sea lanes that had previously been used by Colombia go-fast boats were under heavy surveillance, the Mexican drug traffickers picked up much of the burden of transport and conveyed the drugs across overland routes or along the Eastern Pacific. Your email address will not be published. For intercity travel, use only a reputable tour bus company or taxi service. This will prove to the Immigration authorities that you are carrying the drugs for your own consumption. Hi, i Was wondering if any of the following chemicals are legal/illegal in the Dominican Republic: Benzodiazepenes. The government amended the Misuse of Drugs Act and gave way to medical CBD. Just say no. While there are few seizures made on the highways and roads connecting the Dominican Republics remote beaches with its international ports, drugs certainly move along them, according to evidence in a 2022 Italian Anti-Drug Directorate Report. For example, chronic pain blogger Jennifer Kain Kilgore traveled to the Caribbean nation for a vacation, and contacted Puna Canta International Airport ahead of time to inquire whether hemp CBD oil would be permitted. Every dollar supports our mission. Its illegal. We encourage readers to copy and distribute our work for non-commercial purposes, with attribution to InSight Crime in the byline and links to the original at both the top and bottom of the article. Although same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Dominican Republic, same-sex marriages are not legally recognised. Heide Fulton said that . On May 30, 1988, the Congress of the Dominican Republic approved Law 50-88 dealing with narcotics. Report inappropriate content. Currently at Ocean Blue. I'm taking my meds with me when I go in a few weeks, and I am not going to put them in my carry on. then there are no worries. Dont include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. At some stage, though, we need to have a balance, concluded Arean Varela. As have transnational drug traffickers. Is that enough do you think? Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). It shares an island with Haiti, a nation that suffers from its own dangers and crime. Sexual assaults involving date-rape drugs in drinks have been reported at Punta Cana hotels. Travelers are likely to encounter uneven road surfaces, including large potholes and missing manhole covers. This year has marked a serious uptick in cocaine seizures. DNCD officers, such as those checking X-rays at Caucedo, are paid an average of $450 a month. What we are seeing now is that drug traffickers are more creative, a former port administrator told InSight Crime. The Dominican Republic is a Christian country with prominent Catholic and evangelical communities. Drug Availability in the Dominican Republic. I forgot to mention, always carry them in my purse. But like almost every other port in the world, authorities there are being outsmarted by the cunning of criminal networks. That said, the quantities are discounted if the person caught carrying marijuana or hashish is believed to have intended to sell it. Caucedo is by far the single biggest point of cocaine confiscation in the Dominican Republic. And if: Dextromethorphan/DXM Cough Medicines are available. Or you can access CESTUR via smartphone app (iOS | Android). This will prove to the Immigration authorities that you are carrying the drugs for your own consumption. The Cannigma uses cookies to improve your experience and to show you personalized ads, The 6 best home decarboxylation machines for 2023, How to put out a joint and save it for later, Decarboxylation: How to activate cannabis/THC, How to cook with hash: make delicious and effective edibles. The prohibition applies also to foreigners, even for medical use. Suppliers, Financiers, and Patronizers fall under this category. Narconon and the Narconon logo are trademarks and service marks owned by the Association for Better Living and Education International and are used with its permission. The Colombian drug cartels began to hand off much of the transport and sales of their drugs to other groups. In January 2022, five Caucedo employees were arrested after authorities found 246 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the bottom of a container loaded with cacao destined for France. US$26) and RD$2500 (approx. Increasingly, these children are used to commit crimes in the drug trade, including murder. Q&A on Special K, Category one offenses are defined as possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana or 5 grams of hashish, Category two is over 20 grams and under a pound of marijuana, or over 5 grams and under a quarter pound of hashish, Category three is one pound or more of marijuana, and quarter pound or more of hashish. Scary stuff. Then the police officer demands money to let you leave. In this situation, helping young people avoid the beginning of a drug habit is usually the most practical place to start.