Canadian airline crew still stranded in Dominican after 6 months
It’s been six months since a Canadian airline crew was detained in the Dominican Republic after finding drugs on board and reporting them to the authorities.
With court proceedings hindered due to Hurricane Fiona, the CEO of Pivot Airlines says there isn’t a day that goes by in which the crew of five don’t fear for their future.
“They've had just an exceptionally difficult period as you can imagine,” Eric Edmondson said. “They've missed birthdays and holidays. We’re coming up on Thanksgiving and they desperately miss their families.”
The crew was originally detained on April 5 after finding more than 200 kilograms of cocaine on their aircraft while at the Punta Cana airport.
Along with six passengers, the crew was scheduled to fly to Toronto that day. Instead, they were taken into custody.
The crew was released on bail later in April, but under the condition that they remain in the Dominican Republic. It is unclear if the passengers continue to be detained.
Edmondson said that Pivot has arranged for the crew to live in a “safe house” in a gated community while they wait for the court case to come to an end. They have been moved four to five times for “security reasons,” he says.
While the five Canadians are allowed relative freedom within the gated community, Edmondson says morale is incredibly low.
“They're scared for their lives. They're scared for the outcome of this bogus charge that they're facing,” he said. “They all have good days and bad days, but the bad days are more frequent as time goes on.”
Edmondson says a motion was filed on Aug. 31 to dismiss the case “fundamentally on the lack of evidence.” He says the crew hasn’t been interrogated and it would be impossible to gather new evidence at this time.
“We've been waiting quietly. We had some good momentum on the file for a couple of weeks,” he said. “And while we are progressing towards a good outcome, then Hurricane Fiona went through the Dominican.”
The airline is hopeful the crew will be able to come home soon, but Edmondson also described the Dominican system as the “wild west.”
At the crew’s July 21 hearing, the prosecutor tried to reverse their bail and send them back to jail. The hearing was adjourned because there was no English translator present.
In a statement to CTV News Toronto, Global Affairs Canada said they are aware of the incident involving Pivot Airlines and that the safety and security of its citizens is their “first priority.”
“Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely, are engaging with local authorities, and providing consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.”
In the meantime, Pivot Airlines is urging people to reconsider flying to the Dominican and to travel elsewhere for their vacation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.