Haiti, Dominican Republic fight drug trafficking

(Vatican Radio) The security forces of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are teaming up to neutralize drug trafficking. Their shared island of Hispaniola is used as a major transit route for narcotics shipments en route to the United States.

Haiti's infrastructure was severely affected by the 2010 earthquake which devastated it. It's coastguard does not yet possess the range capability to patrol all of its 1,500 km coastline.

So Haiti and neighbouring Dominican Republic are agreed to pool their resources, intelligence and armed forces to intercept drug shipments. This follows a direct order to the effect from Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez to his military. Both nations were somewhat distant neighbours over the years, but this changed after Haiti's earthquake. Their police forces are also now sharing training programs.

Combined efforts and a united front are essential, as Hispaniola is a focal point of the drug cartels’ route for cocaine and other drugs to the US.

Listen to James Blears’ report: