SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – The relationship between a U.S. Senator from New Jersey and a wealthy political benefactor has highlighted gaps in port security in the Dominican Republic, which has become the top transit point for drugs in the Caribbean. And the situation appears to be getting worse.

Authorities in the Dominican Republic seized 9 tons of cocaine last year, the third consecutive record, according to the country’s national drug control agency.

In January alone, they seized another 3 tons off the country’s southern coast.