In a landmark move marking a new chapter for the Dominican Republic’s anti-narcotics efforts, President Luis Abinader has signed off on the promotion of 634 personnel from the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), fulfilling the provisions of Decree 301-23 that formalizes the agency’s official career framework for frontline staff. This initiative stands as an unprecedented milestone in the DNCD’s 38-year history: it is the first time since the organization’s founding that its civilian agents have received formal, structured hierarchical promotions.
The promotions span all civilian rank levels within the agency, ranging from entry-level first, second and special agents, up through first and second officers, special officer, to senior first and second inspector postings. By formalizing these advancement pathways, the move locks in a permanent, transparent career structure that the institution has lacked until now.
Notably, this executive order directly benefits all non-military, non-police civilian operational and support staff who make up a core part of the DNCD’s daily counter-narcotics work. Beyond administrative restructuring, the Dominican government’s decision formalizes the agency’s hierarchical scale, strengthens internal institutional governance, and formally recognizes the dignity of the dangerous work carried out by DNCD’s male and female agents who combat transnational drug trafficking.
Speaking during the anniversary celebrations, President Abinader offered his congratulations to all DNCD personnel, noting, “On this new anniversary, I wish to congratulate all the agents of the DNCD, who with courage and bravery risk their lives daily to combat drug trafficking and related crimes.”
Officials across the board have emphasized that this step represents a critical investment in improving working conditions for agents who put their lives on the line every day to disrupt drug trafficking networks and transnational organized criminal operations.
DNCD leader Vice Admiral José M. Cabrera Ulloa extended a formal note of gratitude to President Abinader for his consistent backing of the agency. Beyond the career reforms, the president’s administration has also provided the DNCD with critical new resources and upgraded equipment to expand its interdiction operations and dismantle transnational criminal networks operating in the country.
The promotion announcement coincided with the DNCD’s 38th founding anniversary, which the agency celebrated this Friday with a full slate of commemorative events. The day kicked off with a formal Mass held at the Cathedral of Santo Domingo, officiated by Coadjutor Bishop Carlos Tomás Morel Diplán, followed by a floral tribute to fallen agents and other ceremonial activities. Vice Admiral Cabrera Ulloa was joined at the Mass by his family, including wife Carmen Encarnación de Cabrera and their children.
The anniversary event drew a wide range of senior domestic and international stakeholders, demonstrating broad coordinated support for the Dominican Republic’s counter-narcotics work. Attendees included Dominican Minister of Sports Kelvin Cruz, Deputy Defense Ministers Vice Admiral Agustín A. Morillo Rodríguez and Major General Carlos R. Febrillet, Armed Forces Inspector Major General Delio B. Colón Rosario, and Migration Director Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester.
Also in attendance were senior international partners: Rebeca Marquez, director of the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and a high-level delegation from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Southern Command (JIATFS). Domestic partners including National Department of Investigations (DNI) Director Luis Soto, representatives of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, heads of other Dominican specialized security agencies, former DNCD directors, and leaders of local prevention and human rights organizations also participated in the commemorations.