Drug mules travelling with children??????

[cobraboy]

Originally Posted by Squat

But when some dumb Europeans have the stupid idea to try to make some extra cash by carrying a pack of drugs to their nation, they get the heavy load of punishment !

True incident, witnessed with my own eyes:

While picking up a load of our tour guests in April at STI around 1 pm, we saw a slender 20-something European male (I say European because his dress, grooming and mannerisms seemed consistent with Italian/French tourists I've seen) being marched by a DCNC officer, drawn weapon in one hand (and loaded, no doubt, with the intent to ~ues~ it), unleashed German Shepherd at his side, kilo (my guess) of white powder in a plastic bag in the other hand, marching toward a DCND SUV parked curbside.

My first thought was "what a friggin' Mo Ron that guy was...".

I doubt Mr. European's holiday in Paradise ended well...

[barbara.w.]

Originally Posted by cobraboy

... kilo (my guess) of white powder in a plastic bag in the other hand, marching toward a DCND SUV parked curbside...

This brings up questions:
- Where did the powder bag come from?
- Where will it end up?
- Did the European really have the stuff on him?

Anyway, these incidents raise more questions than there are answers...
Squat is right.

[Bayx-**]

Originally Posted by Matilda

I do not condone drug smuggling in any way shape or form and they deserve everything that they get. What I do not understand though, is how murderers - dominican - can get out of jail by paying 1,000US$ and tourists who smuggle drugs cannot get out by paying?? I think neither should be able to get out, but why can one and not the other?

Matilda

Unfortunate, is the way the legal system work in DR. I heard a lot of stories about Dominican's drug dealers.... got caught in the airport ...serve a year in prison or so and then miraculous are allow to fight out the country again.

So that is just the way things are done here.

[laurajane]

Will the mother have lost all parental rights over children?

Is it not possible that the children could be put with a English speaking family for the duration?

[Matilda]

This case has got me thinking. We all know that embassies from whatever country are not that much help when you are in trouble. Not necessarily as they do not want to help but because they are bound by diplomatic protocol. For example in this case the children are the 'responsibility of the Dominican Government". The embassy cannot select a lawyer for the accused drug smugglers, just advise that they need a laywer etc etc. I Know of cases where ex pats are helping other ex pats in trouble - in jail or in hospital as they happened to know them. I was very lucky to have a few english and US friends who helped me, and I know how important that is.

So to get to the point!!! Is there not a way where there can be a network of people from different countries on some sort of standby to help people from their country or with their language who are in trouble, as the embassies can only do so much?? Maybe approved by the embasy or teh Dominican government. Much as I hate anything to do with drugs, as a human being I would visit these people in Jail if they were a bit nearer to me and help them with communication with the UK and translate for them as I am sure they do not speak spanish. And like otheres on this forum I would of course take the kids if I was allowed to until someone picks them up from the UK. Can you imagine what it is like for them now??? Can you imagine how you would feel if it was you? However much wrong you have done? Imagine what a lifeline it would be if you had someone who could send emails for you, or bring you food etc. Fine if you have friends here, but what if you do not? If you were a tourist? Does anyone have the figures on how many tourists are now in jail in DR?

Maybe there is some organisation which helps?

Any thoughts?

Matilda

[Chirimoya]

There is something called Prisoners Abroad for Brits, anyway.

[Matilda]

Thanks Chirimoya. I have registered as a potential visitor. I was not just thinking of jail - also hospital, violent crimes and any help that people needed when they were here alone and wanted a friendly face.

Matilda

[Lambada]

Originally Posted by Matilda

Is there not a way where there can be a network of people from different countries on some sort of standby to help people from their country or with their language who are in trouble, as the embassies can only do so much?? Maybe approved by the embasy or teh Dominican government...................

Maybe there is some organisation which helps? Any thoughts?

I'd be against a formalised system of help & support among expats. Very easy for it & the individuals within it to be taken advantage of and then the helping individuals would lose their goodwill & motivation. I think there are those of us who get approached informally Matilda or who volunteer ourselves. I adopt certain criteria: I will help those I'm pretty certain are wrongly imprisoned (the others can go to the wall, as far as I'm concerned). I won't look after people's children but they'd be grateful if they knew my parenting skills . Where it is a long term incarceration on dubious grounds I will & have, support a relative who comes out here to help their imprisoned son or daughter. I want to see some motivation from the family/friends before I offer help. Sometimes if family back in the home country aren't prepared to help, there's a reason.

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

There is something called Prisoners Abroad for Brits, anyway.

I know the work of Fair Trials Abroad and they were excellent. Stephen Jakobi came out here over an imprisoned British woman we were helping in 2004. The woman was totally innocent. I'm still in touch with this woman's mother - we became friends during the 4 months she lived in PP to visit her daughter. When I was back in UK in 2007 for a medical visit, we met for lunch. Daughter still has after effects from the experience of the PP prison!
There was a DR1 thread on the subject
English woman jailed in the West Indies/Dominican Republic

I agree it would be easier to volunteer if the victims were known to be innocent: victims of crime here or sick in hospital. As an ex-probation officer I feel I have certain skills with regard to the imprisoned fraternity particularly in shooting holes through a 'story' & of course I'm not thrown by the jails here. So my volunteering to help tourists is geared to this area.

[laurajane]

I agree with Matilda on many counts. I of course do not condone drug smuggling however as i am local to the both of the accused brits i am planning to visit the woman tomorrow. I would like to offer my home to the children at least until the children can return to the U.K however i believe this could take months. I do not think this is possible, however i will offer to help in any way possible with regards to the children.

These two people are beyond stupid, however it seems they will get more than what they deserve being in prison here for the next god knows how many years. I will take a few essentials to her and maybe i can help translate the severity of her problem to her and maybe contact family members on her behalf. I am not a nosey do gooder and don't thrive on drama and like a quiet life but i feel that i can at least offer to help as far as the children are concerned.

Poor kids!

[Tallman1818]

Originally Posted by Lambada

Unfortunately not the first time it has been done. A previous case I read the drugs were hidden in toddler's diapers - it goes across nationalities too. I've also read of French and Italians being caught smuggling drugs out of here when they were on a 'family' holiday.

Tallman, you link didn't work for me but here it is, plus two more:
La República - Pareja británica acompañada por hijos de 5 y 7 años detenida con 4.5 kilos coca

http://www.elcaribecdn.com/articulo_...A0D&Seccion=63

El Nacional, la voz de todos

Thanks, I had problems with my server at the time of posting.