Ontario man narrates ordeal after “false” drug charges trapped in the Dominican Republic

A man in Ontario was arrested for alleged drug smuggling, who recounted his 71-day ordeal in the Caribbean.

David Bennett, 57, returned to Burlington on May 16 and saw his allegations withdrawn after weeks of lobbying by Canadian government officials and other Canadian government officials led by his wife, Jane Wilcox.

The couple spent a week at the resort with two friends and returned home on March 7, when Bennett was denied access to the automatic customs gate at Punta Cana Airport to enter the interrogation room.

The two were shown a photo of a schoolbag they didn't know with a slightly different name: David Bennett in place of David R. Bennett – the name on Bennett's schoolbag and all his travel documents. Wilcox told CBC News in March that the allegations were “false”.

The RCMP said this week it continued to investigate the baggage label conversion scheme and arrested arrests related to this particular case.

“It’s really scary”

Back in Canada now, Bennett told CBC Hamilton on Friday about his arrest.

After the interrogation at the airport, Bennett said police took him to a pickup truck in the airport parking lot, and another couple faced similar charges.

“[They] “Packed us in a pickup truck and drove us at a speed of more than 130 kilometers per hour and arrived at the compound within about half an hour outside the airport,” Bennett said.

“We don't have seat belts in the back of this car. It's really scary.”

Bennett said there were 15 to 20 people in the compound where they were taken away, some unified.

“That was when they brought translations – a lady who could translate them to us in English – that was when they told us the severity before us.”

After spending more than an hour at the site, Bennett said they were driven back to the airport, where they were stuffed in the back of a hot and stuffy pickup truck for about two hours before being taken to the prison facility.

“Pitching black”, no room moving in prison

Bennett said he was placed in a “very small” cell with about 12 to 15 men and more people were added throughout the night.

“That's black. We really can't see anyone's face. We just see images of people's body and we don't know we're dealing with it.”

“I've been sitting around the corner because it's just a room to stand. There's no room to lie down, no room to really move.”

Bennett said he tried to stay positive and told himself that he would sort out the whole thing the next morning and that he just needed to “work hard” that night.

“My goal is to fall asleep, just forget about it, not think about it.”

But the ordeal lasted longer than one night.

Bennett is charged with drug trafficking. He was taken to court on March 8 and was released on $5,000 bail. He was unable to leave the Dominican Republic due to a travel ban, and his passport was held by local authorities.

In mid-April, the allegations against Bennett were withdrawn, but the travel ban remained in place.

“I moved 9 times in 71 days [and] I was there and kept my mind covered with dark clouds. ” he said.

“It’s great to go back to Toronto”

Meanwhile, Wilcox works around the clock, first with a downside charges against her husband and then taking him home.

On May 15, around 8 p.m. ET, the family received news that they had spent more than 10 painful weeks.

Bennett said Canadian Global Affairs advised families via email that the travel ban had been officially lifted and they were just waiting for paperwork the next morning.

He said his wife “booked the plane within 20 minutes” and he went home to Canada the next afternoon.

“It was great to go back to Toronto. We took an amazing approach on Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It was a beautiful night so I was incredible about the views of the area and you know, it was a great feeling to just land at the airport.”

He said he missed a lot of things, including birthdays and anniversary, while being trapped in the Dominican Republic, but he was happy to be home.

“Nourish Dave” project

Bennett said that back to his wife, family and friends were “saviors.” He was also very happy to be in his bed again.

“I didn't sleep well at all. …I was very tired on the first day… [upon return] And I still feel some residual fatigue all day long. We have an amazing network of friends that has supported us through this process so it has been a week since I'm grateful to go home. ”

Wilcox also breathed a sigh of relief.

“I'm nourishing Dave right now. He lost some weight when he was away, so I'm passionate about cooking and nourishing, and we can absorb it every minute.”

Wilcox said Canadians deserve better treatment from the Canadian embassy and global affairs.

“There are wire crossovers. We received false information. They didn't answer our questions. People don't seem to know what's going on. It's very frustrating,” she said.

CBC News has commented with Canadian Global Affairs Exchange.

RCMP said its Toronto Airport Detachment members continue to actively investigate cases involving luggage tag conversion incidents in an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs and contraband from Canada.

In addition to the recent arrests, the RCMP said it “has also worked with all and all foreign police partners to provide evidence that may assist in any archives related to these investigations.”

For Wilcox, the “silver line” in the experience is the community support they have gained through it all.

Wilcox said the family spent nearly $85,000 to combat those expenses. They were able to raise $55,000 and were “very grateful” for support from all the community.

“We've started talking about how to help other people in traumatic conditions and are victims of crime. … We'll explore that as we continue to heal here.”