Wrongly accused Canadian stranded in Dominican Republic for months
One Canadian’s Dominican Republic trip turned into a months-long ordeal after a case of mistaken identity and delays left him stranded.
What should have been a relaxing one-week vacation in the Caribbean has become a nightmare for David Bennett and his wife Jane Wilcox. The communications and PR professionals have been together for 16 years and live in Burlington, Ont.
“We have a deep and special relationship. We work together, we play together, and we are active members in our community,” said Wilcox.
Supplied
In an interview with Daily Hive, she said they arrived in the Dominican Republic on Feb. 28 with another couple and had “a lovely trip” in Punta Cana. But their vacation soon turned into a bureaucratic nightmare at Punta Cana International Airport on their way home on March 7.
Wilcox recalled how they were going through customs when Bennett was pulled aside and taken to an interrogation room for questioning.
“I was able to join him. Officials showed us a photo of a bag that had a bag tag with the name Davi Bennett on it and asked us if it was his bag. We said no — all of Dave’s travel documents included the name David R. Bennett,” she explained. “We implored that it was not his bag.”
Communicating through Google Translate, officials informed the couple that the name connection was enough to detain him for further investigation.
“They told me to leave, and I had to board the plane without him. It was the longest five hours of my life,” recounted Wilcox. “I kept thinking they would know they made a mistake, and I was hopeful he would be on the next flight. He wasn’t.”
Punta Cana International Airport (Quinta/Shutterstock)
Instead, Bennett faced a drug-related charge and was accused of importing illegal substances into the Dominican Republic and was detained in “horrific” conditions.
“The jail was overcrowded and very scary. No English spoken at all,” said Wilcox.
After spending three nights and four days in jail, Bennett was released on bail for almost $5,000. Back in Canada, Wilcox contacted government officials.
“Our local MP, Karina Gould, has been helpful, but quite frankly, Global Affairs and the embassy have been disappointing,” she said. “Canadians should know that when they travel, their government can do very little to support them if they are needed.”
The couple then learned that the case had been officially withdrawn, and Bennett could return home after his travel restrictions were lifted. But that’s when they hit another snag; on May 2, they found out it would take another one to two weeks to process the paperwork allowing Bennett to travel.
Bennett has been alone in the Dominican Republic for two months since the day he was detained, and the legal and living expenses have added up, forcing the couple to turn to a crowdfunding site.
“We have spent over $80,000 so far,” said Wilcox. “Every day he is down there, it costs more. We have fundraised about $50,000 and are so grateful.”
Supplied
She said that the experience has changed her life forever, and she and her husband are now even more grateful for their family and friends.
“It’s been a living nightmare. We aren’t sleeping. We are under constant stress. We are both very concerned about how this stress will affect our future health,” said Wilcox.
“We are undergoing trauma therapy to assist in our recovery. Dave has missed so many birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and just everyday life. His parents are in poor health, and this is extremely difficult on them.”
And despite what they went through, the couple said they haven’t received an apology or compensation. However, they were told that they would get the bail money back.
When asked what they plan to do when Bennett is finally home, Wilcox said, “We will nurture each other, rest, and heal.”
In an email, a Global Affairs Canada representative stated that the department is “aware of the legal situation of a Canadian citizen in the Dominican Republic.”
“Canadian officials in the Dominican Republic are actively engaged with local authorities and are providing consular assistance,” they said. “Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.”
MP Gould said that she’s been in frequent touch with the family and has been advocating for Bennett’s “speedy return” to Canada.
“This is a very difficult situation for Mr. Bennett and his family,” she said. “One that anyone would be quite distressed over, which is why I am thoroughly engaged to see this resolved and Mr. Bennett returned to Canada as quickly as possible.”
Have you encountered a travel nightmare as a Canadian? Write to us at trending@dailyhive.com.