I have been coming to DR for 6 years and have always enjoyed my vacations. I usually come about 4 times a year for vacations. 2 days ago I was leaving, going through security checkpoints with no problems until a plain clothed man ask to see my passport. I showed him without hesitation or anything to hide. He looked at my passport and asked why I came to DR so much. I responded I like your country, it's cheaper than Florida. He proceeded to tell me it cost to vacation in the DR and I must sell drugs. I responded that I work for a living and vacation when I felt like doing so. He asked me to have a seat, took my airline tickets plus passport and told me to wait. I then told him wait one minute, I am not being seperated from my passport. I did not trust this fellow. He then told me to come with him. Mind you my plane is leaving in 1 hour. He took me to some room on the other side of the airport with some woman seated at a desk. He asked me to speak spanish and I ask for someone that spoke english. The woman at the desk only spoke a little english but not enough. I was not answering any questions that I did not understand in spanish. At this point I am asking why am I here. I don't do or sell drugs, no one searched my bag or myself. No drug sniffing dogs or anything. At this point I am getting upset due to missing my flight. The guy that speaks english arrives and tells me this is just routine. I told hime that the other fellow accused me of selling drugs and stated that I come to DR too often. I asked if USA has an agreement that you could only travel so many times a year to the DR. He told me no, I asked again, why am I here. He told me to calm down because I really didn't want to go upstairs to some other room. At this point I told him that I don't care what room I was in and that I did nothing wrong for this treatment. He stated again this is routine. I told him you people said that I come to your country too much, sell drugs, what is routine about that. Time is ticking, going to miss my flight. 3 more guys show up ( the mob squad), I told them if you think I have drugs do your job and search me. Finally I told him that I was not answering any more questions and that they were holding me against my will without a valid reason. Nothing about this was routine. I told them I wanted them to call someone from the American Embassy and this is my right as an american citzen. He then told me that everything was fine and that all I needed to do was sign some form. I ask him why they pulled me from the security in the first place, accuse me of selling drugs and then tell me that this is all routine. No one ever search anything, nada. I told him that I was not signing anything that I did not understand. He told me that I had to sign. I ask him to make the call to the US embassy and I would sign if they directed me to sign. I am ****ED OFF right now. He told me that I could go. I told him that I did not have time to go back through security and make my flight. He had one of his GOONS to escort me though. His name was JUAN REYES (ASSHOLE). Normally country's will check you out entering the country, not when you are going home. Not that it means much but I also showed drivers ID, work ID with badge ( I am a fireman). None of this amounted to a hill of beans. Just my experience. He must be trying to make a name for himself. DR customs, ASS BACKWARDS.
- Thread starter Uncledee295
- Start date
Dr security & customs
- Status
E
engineerfg
Guest
Honestly, don't take this the wrong way, but this is just a bit of culture clash. Playing it cool and laughing along, or just being stoic and polite would have been better. If they see you get angry or mad, they either get a tickle out of it, or they think they're on to something.
Was there a particular reason that you posted this now?
Had you posted at the time, 2 years ago, we could probably have got this looked into for you. Now is of course far too late to do anything about it.
Had you posted at the time, 2 years ago, we could probably have got this looked into for you. Now is of course far too late to do anything about it.
Sounds like he was trying to intimidate you for a few bucks, thinking you would panic and cave in. Pretty routine here.......At least you made your flight.
Crumbs I knew there was a good reason I was at the optician this morning! Thank you Reidy for pointing that out. Many apologies UncleDee, I totally misread that. Let me see if we can locate someone who can look into it for you.
It happened at Puerto Plata airport. This will not stop me from vacationing in the DR by any means. This was the first run in I have ever had with the routine (bull) search at POP airport. In the back of my mind I figured they wanted money or to intimidate me. I don't have problem with them doing a routine check if that is the procedure. False accusations and questioning that I travel to the DR too much. Yes, I do have a problem with that. Think about it, no tourists, no money, no jobs in the DR (POP airport). We all have rules to follow as a visitor or as an employee of POP. John Wayne is a cowboy not an customs agent.
That's too bad. I've had hassles on arrival in Canada from Mexico with drug sniffing dogs who just couldn't get enough of a handmade basket style suitcase I bought at a flea market...I was detained for hours...and had everything in my luggage taken apart...questioned etc... then let go because I had done nothing wrong... but it's different when you're on home soil and know your rights etc... I had a laughable experience arriving in DR on the other hand. My mom and daughter followed the line through to the customs agent to present their passports but for some reason I was stopped and ordered to proceed to another line to a booth that was closed...I was kind of worried but it turns out the guy in the booth just wanted to flirt and was using his position to assert some authority.. asked me all kinds of questions about my marital status, if I had a boyfriend.... I just laughed at him he let me go... 
You're spot on!
At one point I was flying into POP or STI monthly, and I was asked the same question....I had a laugh with them and within one min I was on my way.
Hey everyone, I just recieved a reply from the US embassy. They stated that the incident had been investigated and all involved denied any accusations or harassment. Not a surprise. But if you should have a problem at POP airport. If you think the search or questions are more than just routine you can contact a supervisor from Aerodom. They are the airport authority. If you have any concerns or compaints take it up with them. Now I know, I hope this can help someone else should you have concerns or problems.
I suspect the US consular reply may actually be a stronger statement than it reads.
It's good it go investigated, and some people may indeed have received a "visit" and had their ear pulled. I have a funny feeling this may be unlikely to repeat soon.
... J-D.
I did actually report this matter to the airport management the same day as the OP posted so they are well aware of it. I think Uncledee295 can rest assured that all the right people are in the know.
Thank you very much for reporting it to management at the airport. Knowing who to report any incidents to is priceless. It keeps everyone semi-honest. Once again, thank you.
It won't make a bit of difference....
I have also been confronted by official a$$holes at the airport (SDQ) and one of the questions I got was how much Dominican money I was carrying like Americans are trying to smuggle pesos out of the country. The guy was young (early 30's) and dressed in a very bad suit and I spent much of the conversation laughing at him, especially when his supervisor showed up and the conversation morphed into English. Apparently this is a game that they play when bored or whatever and yes, they held the plane for me.
The pilot was mystified. I've travelled back through SDQ dozens of times since and I haven't seen my inquisitioner again. I could never forget those beady little eyes. What a weak shakedown tactic.
I have also been confronted by official a$$holes at the airport (SDQ) and one of the questions I got was how much Dominican money I was carrying like Americans are trying to smuggle pesos out of the country. The guy was young (early 30's) and dressed in a very bad suit and I spent much of the conversation laughing at him, especially when his supervisor showed up and the conversation morphed into English. Apparently this is a game that they play when bored or whatever and yes, they held the plane for me.
The pilot was mystified. I've travelled back through SDQ dozens of times since and I haven't seen my inquisitioner again. I could never forget those beady little eyes. What a weak shakedown tactic.
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