David Bennett with his wife, Jane Wilcox, at 海角社区官网Pearson International Airport. The 57-year-old had been stranded in the Dominican Republic for more than two months after being wrongfully detained for drug smuggling.
RCMP investigating drug smuggling 鈥榮cheme鈥 that turned Burlington man鈥檚 Caribbean vacation into a nightmare
The Ontario RCMP鈥檚 海角社区官网Airport Detachment is investigating cases of baggage tag tampering in attempts to smuggle illegal drugs and contraband out of Canada.
David Bennett with his wife, Jane Wilcox, at 海角社区官网Pearson International Airport. The 57-year-old had been stranded in the Dominican Republic for more than two months after being wrongfully detained for drug smuggling.
After two months and eight days detained in the Dominican Republic, Burlington鈥檚 David Bennett returned home last Friday night.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a magical reunion and we鈥檝e really been focused on rest, recovery and connecting with family, friends and the forest,鈥 Bennett鈥檚 wife Jane Wilcox said on Tuesday, May 20, adding the couple went on some short hikes over the Victoria Day long weekend with their dog, Jada.
Bennett arrived home shortly after 7 p.m. May 16, the day after restrictions on his travel were lifted.
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鈥淚t was very sudden,鈥 Wilcox said. 鈥淲e only found out the travel ban was lifted Thursday evening just after 8 p.m. so it was a whirlwind and stressful 24 hours.鈥
Dominican authorities dropped the drug trafficking charges by May 1, but Bennett鈥檚 long-awaited return home was delayed further while paperwork to lift travel restrictions was filed and processed.
鈥淒ave is soaking up good food and positive energy from our home and community,鈥 Wilcox stated in an email.
Bennett was detained on March 7 as he and his wife prepared to fly home after a Punta Cana vacation.
They learned Dominican authorities had found a bag at the airport containing marijuana and cocaine, allegedly shipped from Canada and bearing a name similar to Bennett鈥檚.
Despite their insistence the bag didn鈥檛 belong to Bennett, he was arrested. After spending a few nights in jail, he was granted bail on March 10 but wasn鈥檛 allowed to leave the country while the investigation continued.
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In a statement emailed to the Burlington Post, an RCMP spokesperson said the agency is 鈥渁ware of reports in the media of travellers being detained abroad for luggage containing illegal drugs鈥 who suspect their baggage tags were switched, or tampered with, without their knowledge.
Tampering with baggage tags may be done by 鈥渁irport insiders co-operating with smugglers,鈥 according to the statement.
鈥淭he objective is to place a tag from legitimate luggage onto luggage containing contraband, such as illegal narcotics, in order to get it onto the plane,鈥 the RCMP spokesperson said.
The is investigating cases of baggage tag tampering in attempts to smuggle illegal drugs and contraband out of Canada.
鈥淥ur investigators have successfully identified and arrested individuals who we believe are involved with this scheme,鈥 the RCMP spokesperson said. 鈥淲e are also co-operating with any and all foreign police partners to provide evidence that may assist any files related to these investigations. We are unable to share specific details surrounding victims or accused at this time as the investigations are ongoing.鈥
An RCMP spokesperson the agency was providing information to Dominican authorities 鈥渢hat can assist Mr. Bennett in coming back to Canada,鈥 but they did not confirm any specific details of the case.
Craig Campbell is a reporter with Metroland, primarily covering Burlington. He previously covered the community of Dundas for 25 years. Reach him at ccampbell@torstar.ca
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