Ontario Couple’s Vacation Turns into a Legal Nightmare

What started as a week of sunshine for a couple from Burlington, Ont., this winter has turned into “a living nightmare.”

Jane Wilcox shared that she and David Bennett, along with another couple, were about to board their flight home from the Dominican Republic when Bennett was pulled out of the security line at Punta Cana International Airport and taken into an interrogation room.

After a lot of pleading, Wilcox said she was allowed inside the interrogation room, where officers showed them a photo on a phone of a bag with a tag reading “Davi – D-A-V-I – Bennett … it had the PUJ airport code on it, so it came into the Punta Cana airport.”

Wilcox told CBC Hamilton they later discovered that the bright yellow bag shown to them contained “full of drugs.”

I gave him my two bucks and a charger for his phone, and gave him a big kiss.​​- Jane Wilcox

Although there was a language barrier making communication challenging with the officers, Wilcox stated that they tried to clarify that everything in Bennett’s travel documents-his luggage, passport, boarding pass-was labeled “David R. Bennett. [We’ve] never seen that bag before.”

“Through Google Translate, they [the officers] said because of the similarities of the names, ‘we need to detain him for further investigation,'” Wilcox explained.

“So then, I just went and sat on him,” she added. “I just sat on his lap and it was kind of like, ‘I can’t go.’ By then, the other couple was texting to say they were boarding the flight.”

‘You have to get me out of this mess’

Both Wilcox and Bennett are employed at the same public relations firm. She mentioned that despite his detention, he encouraged her to return home to Canada.

“Dave said, ‘You have to go. You have to go home and you have to work for me from there. You have to get me out of this mess.’

“I had like $2 US left. We just had brought them for tipping and such, so I gave him my two bucks and a charger for his phone, and gave him a big kiss,” she continued.

Jane Wilcox and Bennett were on vacation in recent weeks when he was pulled from a security-check line at Punta Cana International Airport and sent into an interrogation room. Wilcox says authorities in the Dominican Republic have mistakenly linked Bennett to a yellow bag full of drugs. (Submitted by Michelle Magee)

Wilcox mentioned she heard from Bennett again after landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.

“He sent me a picture of his own bag-the OGIO bag with his YYZ tag showing David R. Bennett. He said, ‘We may need this'” as proof of his innocence.

On March 8th around 12:30 p. m., Bennett called her.

“He said,’I’ve been arrested for importing illegal drugs and I’m in jail; last night was the most horrific night of my life. But I’m OK and I need your help. I need you to get on this right away. You’ve got to connect with our RCMP friends; you’ve got to reach out to [Burlington MP] Karina Gould’s office; you’ve got to find us legal support-we’ve got to move into action.’ So that’s exactly what I did,” explained Wilcox.

Bennett remained in jail for three nights before appearing in court on March 10th where he received bail set at $5,000; he’s currently staying at an Airbnb rental.

Wilcox stated that while there’s no date set yet for his next court appearance-which will be “a preliminary trial”-he is not allowed to leave the Dominican Republic during this time.

She noted they’ve secured legal representation both in Canada and in the Dominican Republic while their lawyers work alongside local authorities as they fight against these charges.

‘Dave is just 100% innocent,’ wife says

According to Wilcox, her husband is known as “a strong community member” who has never been involved with drugs.

“Dave is just 100 percent innocent. It’s just impossible to even contemplate that this would happen.”

Bennett originally hails from Montreal but moved to Oakville as a teen; he has lived in Burlington for over 32 years and has played hockey with the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club for more than ten years.

Bennett sent a photo showing his OGIO bag complete with its YYZ (Pearson airport) tag proving ownership which could aid their case.
(Submitted by Michelle Magee)

“He’s also been stepfather to my two wonderful boys Ben & Nick… And Dave’s volunteered at Tyandaga Golf Club previously while helping out over at Hidden Lake [Golf Club] since he loves golf,” shared Wilcox.

“He’s probably one Of The most upright risk-averse people you could meet! The fact he’s being held based on these false accusations contradicts everything we know about him.”

“Until he’s back home though? It feels like we’re still living through hell-it really does,” emphasized Wilcox.

Since March 8th , their family connected With Global Affairs Canada which provided them A case number too. Communication Was Also Established With Gould , Their federal representative.

Consular officials keep In contact : Global Affairs

CBC Hamilton reached Out To Global Affairs Canada asking If They knew about Bennet Being detained In The Dominican republic. The Federal Department Replied without Mentioning His Name Specifically That It Is aware Of A Canadian citizen Being Arrested In The Dominican Republic.

“Consular officials are communicating regularly With local Authorities And providing Assistance due To Privacy concerns No additional details Can Be shared ,” A spokesperson wrote Via email TO CBC Hamilton

In The meantime , according To wilco X，Gould’S office Has Been responsive And took Immediate Action On This matter.

An email From Gould’S office Confirmed They’ve been Engaged With wilc OX And Are conscious OF Her Husband situation In Punta can A.

“We Have contacted Global affairs canada For Her And They’re Currently looking Into This issue While keeping direct communications Open With Family,” Said THE Email update FROM Gould’S team.

Moreover , WILCOX Stated Their Legal Team Has Also contacted West Jet along WITH YYZ ( Pearson airport) To ensure All required Evidence IS Gathered Demonstrating David Has Never Encountered That Yellow Bag During Any travel They Took Together Before…

Monique Vanderjagt And Marc Travers WITH wilc OX AND BENNETT IN punta can A Were Captured Having Fun During Their trip BEFORE HIS arrest Occurred (Submitted by Michelle Magee)

Though she’s been working In Public Relations & Crisis Communications FOR Thirty Years，WILCOX remarked That THIS crisis Is BY FAR The biggest One She’s Ever Had TO Manage..

“Little Did I expect I’d Be Using My expertise For MY Own FAMILY’S Situation However Here We Are.”

WILCOX Explained How Their family Plans A Three-phase Strategy Dealing With THIS Arrest situation.. Phase ONE focused ON Getting Dave Out Of Jail Which Happened MONDAY March tenth When He Was released On Bail.. Now WE’RE CURRENTLY engaged IN phase TWO Which Is all About Bringing HIM Home – proving Longer Than Anticipated Though we’re Determined TO Make IT Happen ! “

Afterward comes PHASE THREE Once He’s safely BACK Home But right Now Our Focus Remains SOLELY ON getting HIM HOME SAFE!”

Finally WILCOX noted how They’ve Set Up fundraising activities Including THIS Friday As well AS establishing Give Send Go Accounts TO help cover legal Fees Alongside Other expenses incurred throughout THE ordeal..

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