An Ontario man who faced arrest in the Dominican Republic over drug smuggling accusations is sharing his 71-day experience in that Caribbean nation.
David Bennett, 57, returned to Burlington on May 16 after his charges were dropped following weeks of hard work by Canadian government officials and others. The push for his release was primarily driven by his wife Jane Wilcox.
The couple had spent a week at a resort with two friends and were heading home on March 7 when Bennett was stopped at the automated customs gate at Punta Cana airport and taken to an interrogation room.
They were shown a picture of a bag they didn’t recognize, which had a slightly different name on it: Davi Bennett instead of David R. Bennett – the name on Bennett’s bag and all his travel documents. Wilcox told in March that the accusations were “bogus.”
RCMP mentioned this week that they are still looking into baggage tag switching schemes and have made arrests related to this case.
‘It was really scary’
Now back in Canada, Bennett spoke to CBC Hamilton on Friday about what happened during his arrest.
After being interrogated at the airport, he said officers took him along with another couple facing similar charges to a pickup truck parked outside the airport.
“[They] loaded us in the pickup truck and drove us at speeds in excess of 130 kilometres an hour, roughly half hour outside of the airport to a compound,” Bennett recounted.
“We were in the back of this vehicle with no seatbelts on. It was really scary.”
Bennett described seeing between 15 to 20 people at the compound where they ended up, some wearing uniforms.
Jane Wilcox and David Bennett spent a week at a resort in the Dominican Republic with two friends and were on their way home on March 7 when Bennett was denied entry at the automated customs gate at Punta Cana airport. (Submitted by Michelle Magee)
“That’s when they brought a translator – a lady that could translate a little bit in English to us – and that’s when they told us the seriousness of what was in front of us.”
After about an hour there, he said they were rushed back to the airport where they waited for approximately two hours inside a hot pickup truck before being taken to jail.
‘Pitch black’ and no room to move in jail
Bennett explained that he found himself crammed into a “really small” cell with around 12 to 15 other men, with more people arriving throughout the night.
“It was pitch black. We really couldn’t see anyone’s faces coming in. We just saw body images of people coming in and we had no clue what we were dealing with,” he stated.
“I literally sat in the corner for the whole time because it was standing room only. There was no room to lay down, there was no room to really move.”
Bennett tried keeping his spirits up, convincing himself everything would be sorted out by morning so he could just “tough it out” for one night.
“My goal was to fall asleep and just sort of forget about it and not think about it.”
However, things took much longer than one night.
Bennett faced drug trafficking charges. He appeared in court on March 10 and got released on $5,000 bail but couldn’t leave due to a travel ban imposed upon him.
The charges against him were finally dropped around mid-April; however, he remained under travel restrictions during that time.
“I moved nine times over those 71 days [and] I felt like I had this black cloud hanging over me every single day,” he noted.
‘Landing back in Toronto was amazing’
Meanwhile, Wilcox worked tirelessly first getting her husband’s charges dropped then arranging for his return home.
On May 15 around 8 p. m. ET, their family received some long-awaited news after more than ten stressful weeks.
Global Affairs Canada informed them via email that the travel ban had been lifted officially; all they needed now was paperwork ready by morning.
Bennett said his wife “booked a flight within 20 minutes” so he could head back home within hours.
“Landing back in Toronto was amazing. We had an incredible approach coming over Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It was such a beautiful evening; I got breathtaking views from above as we touched down.”
Bennett mentioned missing many special occasions like birthdays while stuck but expressed relief at finally being back home again.
‘Project Nourish Dave’
Bennett shared how reconnecting with family has been life-saving for him; he’s also thrilled about sleeping again comfortably each night.
“I wasn’t sleeping well down there.. I felt tired during my first few days [after returning], still experiencing some lingering fatigue throughout my daily routine.”
“We’ve got fantastic support from our friend network during this tough time; it’s been quite overwhelming but I’m grateful.” P >
Wilcox feels relieved as well now that everything is behind them.
P >
“I’m currently working on Project Nourish Dave since he’s lost weight while away – I’ve gotten excited about cooking healthy meals again – we’re savoring every moment together right now.” P >David R. Bennett is shown here in this undated photo provided. He says although he missed various events , including celebrations , while trapped abroad , he’s happy just being home. (Jane Wilcox)
She believes Canadians should receive better assistance from embassies or Global Affairs Canada if caught abroad under similar circumstances.
“There seemed confusion everywhere. We often received mixed messages. Questions went unanswered too ; nobody seemed aware or informed enough regarding ongoing situations which added frustration,” she expressed. P >
A spokesperson confirmed Global Affairs Canada’s commitment towards providing “effective consular services” worldwide toward Canadians.
“Each situation differs uniquely depending upon circumstances,” Dina Destin conveyed through email correspondence directed towards CBC Hamilton.
The ability & success rate associated with resolving these cases heavily depends upon foreign laws/regulations alongside co-operation from external organizations as well.” P >
The RCMP stated their Toronto detachment continues its investigations into incidents involving suspicious baggage tag switches linked directly/indirectly towards illegal substance trafficking attempts originating out-of-Canada networks too.【 A】”
This includes recent arrests made recently along cooperative efforts spanning across international police forces too aimed toward collecting evidence aiding related inquiries.” p ><
The silver lining amid all hardship witnessed remained unwavering community backing received throughout these challenging times.【 A】” p ><
Wilcox highlighted how expenses totaled nearly $85k fighting against accusations-grateful fundraising efforts yielding ~$55k helped greatly! She’s eager now exploring ways assist fellow victims enduring traumatic experiences moving forward！【A】” p >
