Drug mules travelling with children??????

[Tallman1818]

What's with there couple traveling as drug mules with their children???
Does anyone here have more details about this case??


http://www.listindiarioPareja británica acompañada por hijos de 5 y 7 años detenida con 4.5 kilos coca
- 10/3/2008



HIGUEY.- Una pareja de esposos británicos, acompañados de sus hijos menores, fue detenida ayer por la Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas (DNCD) cuando trataban de viajar a Inglaterra con tres paquetes de cocaína, con un peso superior a los 4.5 kilos, en un vuelo comercial.

La pareja fue identificada como Nelly Catherine Cardigan y Daniel Marcus Patterson, quienes se proponían abordar el vuelo 5232, de Thomson Fly, con destino a Londres. Los niños tienen edades de cinco y siete años, respectivamente, dijo la DNCD en un comunicado.

El informe de la DNCD indica que la embajada británica será informada del caso en las próximas horas, como se estila cuando un extranjero es arrestado por violar la Ley 50-88.






.com/app/article.aspx?id=76022

[Chirimoya]

I suppose the lowlives thought it was the perfect camouflage.

[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

[badpiece33]

Unfortunately I'm not suprised because this is a very common way to transport drugs, they think it is a perfect cover, and I guess it must work most of the time or they wouldn't do it so much.

[rubio_higuey]

This story also has a human aspect to it...

Today while making copies of some notarial action documents for my company here in Higuey, came a guy (messenger) to make copies of some passports. He was standing right next to me and I saw 4 UK passports... two of them with childrens' photos.

I inquired and yes, those were the passports of the English family detained at PUJ airport with 4.5 kgs of cocaine. What two sweet little boys... blond hair, almost angelic.

The kids will be sent to Santo Domingo orphanage, as the guy told me, while the case is pending. Problem is that even though they are children, they are stil involved in the case, and it's a case where the offence (by the controlled substance quantity) is punishable by 10 to 30 years. In the (not so near) future the British consulate might be able to get the custody of the kids and get them sent to the family or friends in the UK.

What all of us right there agreed that the kids will be suffering a lot, being in an environment where they don't understand neither the language nor what is going on. They will be surrounded by people who will not be able to take care of their needs and the consulate, if working hard and steady, might get the custody of them in several weeks or months. MAYBE they (the children) will be home for Christmas... Christmas without their parents, though.

[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

[Stodgord]

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

Maybe is because foreigners are a flight risk. Can slip out through Haiti or take a boat to Puerto Rico and never come back. And once in their own turf, it would be difficult to bring them back. On the other hand a Dominican on the lam, in another country is easily deportable.

[cdngirl08]

The kids are in an orphanage and may be there for weeks or months? Oh for lack of sense!! Part of the case or not, what are the kids going to do..testify against their parents?? Were they even aware of what was going on and if so...so what! Those kids should be sent home to the UK..no delay. To keep them in the DR after all they've been through as far as I'm concerned is cruel and unusual punishment. Protocol and regulations be damned! These are under-aged minors who should be protected and not subjected to further trauma...like someone said..in an environment where they don't speak the language, etc. For a country that prides itself on its love of children, this is absolutely appalling and pathetic!

[BushBaby]

Let us not be TOO quick to damn the authorties for lack of compassion as we are not sure at the moment of what the British Embassy is doing in this matter. It is my understanding (rightly or wrongly) that they are trying to contact relatives in the UK who may be encouraged (if any is needed) to come to the DR & take responsibility for the children.

Let us see how this plays out a bit further before getting too hot under the collar. ~ Grahame.

[Squat]

So, just as Main Street has to bail out the Wall Street Golden Boys...

It is perfectly ok for police, military, politicians and government officials to be heavily involved in the major drug trade that is happening right in front of our nose...

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 !

This is just so typical !!!

If you're a fat cat, go ahead, be a drug lord ! If you're a poor slob... Watch out !!!