- Thread starter Dolores
- Start date
Chartered jet retained at PUJ after suspected shipment found on board
Sound familiar?
French pilots jailed in 'Air Cocaine' smuggling case freed on appeal
Two French pilots convicted for their role in a spectacular 2013 drugs bust on a private jet in the Dominican Republic have been acquitted on appeal by a French court.
www.rfi.fr
Anyone interested in reading more about the French pilots, the whole story is on Wikipedia, including a long description of the Dominican judicial process. An option to translate into English should pop up with the page.
fr.wikipedia.org
Affaire Air Cocaïne — Wikipédia
In a bit of good news, the crew and passengers of Pivot Airlines were released from jail on bond, and the bad news is that they must remain in the DR under a sort of house arrest while the matter is being further investigated.
In an interesting twist, the drugs were discovered not in the baggage compartment nor in the interior of the plane itself, but in another outside compartment area where ground crews also would likely have unfettered access..............
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
In an interesting twist, the drugs were discovered not in the baggage compartment nor in the interior of the plane itself, but in another outside compartment area where ground crews also would likely have unfettered access..............
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
From sources in Canada, several aviation industry unions are flexing a bit of muscle and have called for the release of the pilots and crew. They have made rumblings that if the crew is not released from the country, they may boycott travel to the DR..............meaning they are making threats to not fly aircraft into the country.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
Why? The crew is who found and reported the drugs.
Well Canada is worlds largest superpower. I mean, well, according to JT
Ambassadors often get dragged into situations like this in other countries, sometimes even sent packing but I'm guessing these politicians aren't too concerned about it?
An investigation should determine the outcome, never a foreign government for the simple fact it's a very slippery slope.
Canada has a lot of investments in the DR, and DR wants a free trade agreement with Canada.
It's been over a month now. The drugs were loaded in the avionics bay and control cable compartment(areas not normally accessed by pilots) prior to the crew even arriving at the airport. The crew was having some problem and had a maintenance engineer on the plane check. He found the drugs and the pilots reported it. If they can't come up with a reason to charge them by now, it's time to let them go back to Canada.
The longer they're at the mercy of the Abinader PN, well... Hopefully they get released soon
Granted, that would be an extreme position to take, but they are likely looking to leverage that potential position to put pressure on the government to move the investigation at a faster pace.
If the pilot unions and others were to try something, it would most likely come in the form of a sickout by pilots and/or crew on specific flights to the DR.
Do you recall the Air Cocaine debacle that only ended in the DR when the two French pilots made a daring escape while waiting on the investigation in the DR to conclude?
As we know, the legal process does not seem to move swiftly in the DR.
Respectfully,
Playacaribe2
The Canadian government has much bigger fish to fry at this point. Hyper inflation, significant increases in fuel prices, houses prices out of reach of most Canadians, the Ukrainian war. The plight of the Pivot flight crew is low on their radar right now. The Canadian Foreign affairs department will let the issue run its course. The Canadian Consulate DR staff will do the minimum that’s required. Check to make sure the crew is properly housed and fed. Notify their next of kin they are okay, etc. I have no doubt the crew and aircraft will be released eventually once enough money passes hands.
The Canadian Pilots Union is trying to raise the profile of the issue to speed up resolution. The Canadian Airline Industry has been operating on a wing and a prayer since Covid. Now high fuel prices and delays at airports due to lack of trained security staff are affecting their financial bottom line. They will not let their economical viability be threatened by pilots who want to pick and choose where they can fly.
The DR government knows the importance of Canadian tourism and Abinader is a staunch supporter of the DR tourist industry. He is not going to bite one of the fingers on the hand that feeds him. If the legal proceedings lag on, he will intervene. Money is at the core of everything. It’s the DR way.
The Canadian Pilots Union is trying to raise the profile of the issue to speed up resolution. The Canadian Airline Industry has been operating on a wing and a prayer since Covid. Now high fuel prices and delays at airports due to lack of trained security staff are affecting their financial bottom line. They will not let their economical viability be threatened by pilots who want to pick and choose where they can fly.
The DR government knows the importance of Canadian tourism and Abinader is a staunch supporter of the DR tourist industry. He is not going to bite one of the fingers on the hand that feeds him. If the legal proceedings lag on, he will intervene. Money is at the core of everything. It’s the DR way.
