Dominican and Haitians involved in illegal immigration network

An illegal immigration network was dismantled in Guadeloupe with the arrest of three French individuals.

The network, headquartered in Haiti, took Haitians to the Dominican Republic where they acquired a visa to travel to Dominica for a sum of $3,000. Upon their arrival in Dominica, they then paid another sum of $400 per person to be smuggled to Marie-Galante where they were housed by a Haitian restaurant owner who in turn would pocket a further $200 to have them enter Guadeloupe via the Inter-Island Ferry.

The investigations by the French authorities started in June 2010 after the interception of an illegal Haitian woman, who upon questioning, disclosed how she entered the country.

On Tuesday April 5, a well established Haitian residing in Dominica was arrested in Guadeloupe with a sum of about 15 thousand euro in cash in his possession. The other three individuals of French nationality appeared before the prosecutor in Pointe a Pitre and were remanded in custody.

Others may be arrested in the coming days. Among those wanted is a Dominican, but because of no extradition treaty between France and Dominica, the authorities are unable to go any further.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

65 Comments

  1. Mind you country
    October 15, 2012

    Some people just think dominica is a dumping feild .keep this people where they are.when this woman spoke about gang woman please am a officer in the states and theres alot of haitians gangs who kills people. rubbery .and so much more.gangs are every where .so stop talking like that.you guys should be thankful to the dominicans and the government for accepting you all.no other island dont want you all in their place so go read .

  2. GOD'S CHILD
    June 10, 2011

    I have read some of the comments and we have to stop what we say about others, WE HAVE TO CAREFULL because we do not what will come to us, when it will comes to us. Remember JAPAN?

    We are ALL God’s children in this world. Some of us because we leave better than others we believe we are better than them. The most importanmt thing, God is the one that is our Judge and we don’t even regard him.

    Do we forget we have relatives in Guadaloupe, Martinique, St. Martin, Angullia, America,England and other place? Some poeple do JUST like the Hiaitians, go to the other islands illegally for a better like for both themself and their family.

    Everyone is looking forward to a better life. Some think Dominica has that better life and others think is elsewhere.

    Just think of your self and families before condeming other nationals because they are search for we ALL are searching for. A BETTER WAY OF LIFE.

    God Bless us All.

  3. shatta
    May 18, 2011

    haitians are like locusts send them home, the bible condem them ,its like sodom and gomorrah,to destroy there land

  4. Starr
    April 18, 2011

    While I believe that Haitians should be limited in the privileges afforded (work and travel restrictions), we need to also be able to embrace them. They are our brothers and they need assistance. There is a lot of negativity toward Haitians and the more they are able to bring up their standard of living, the more negative our feelings toward them. This is not right.

    P.S Comments were made about animals walking around Port au Prince…..but I remember Roseau being the same thirty years ago. You couldn’t walk through Roseau without encountering some sheep or stepping in their poop on the sidewalks. We have been blessed with the opportunity to develop past this stage….Haitians have not been as fortunate.

    We can make our point without being insensitive, putting all Haitians in the same category or just being downright offensive toward them.

  5. Big B from tola b.v.i
    April 17, 2011

    please let those people go back to there country and work to build it back :evil: ppl

  6. kk
    April 12, 2011

    we r all human beings. haitians live their country 4 a better life so we DA people. so wat d hell. all of u dat talkin have family overseas helpin all u. so it good 4 1 set only. U c those hatien runnin fr hatti is so we have to run fr DA.

  7. kerker
    April 10, 2011

    These people is better off staying in their own place any where they go they carry
    the same shit around with them. stop bringing them to dominica

    • dave from haiti
      May 18, 2011

      my message is for KERKER,i bet ur a dominican ur country is a good country i can tell u i love dominica cuz them love each other and have alot of respect for others like my nation dont,but u cant talk like dat i understand it not fair for to come and bring a reputation for dominica but remember u leave dominica to go to guadeloupe too so u can have a better life cuz i’ve been in dominca since 2003 and i leave 2006 i since all my time in portsmouth right im in orlando,florida i wasnt take no boat but the one who take it im not better than them the reason the do it is not because they cant eat at home is becuase they lives is in steack,not safe ok so go and think about haitian b4 say anything wrong about them ok its not because i am haitian cuz i dont like wat they doing too sometime but remember when we come in ur country we come to work and yes some take the boat cuz they need a better life,but when u leave ur country to go to st maaten,guadeloupe,martinique if they send u back they send u back for stealing,murder,drug,ok,,,,but not haitan just go and thinkn about dat but talking about haitian ok,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

      • Mind you country
        October 15, 2012

        Dont fool people about haitians dont kill people ok

  8. keker
    April 10, 2011

    When you meet those Haitians over sea is to hear them run down dominica, but when they meet dominicans with foreign papers they marry them quick to get papers, when you do hear they leave them and gone to miami it happen ot many of them rite here in Dominica

    • dave from haiti
      May 18, 2011

      let me answer ur qyestions again not u try to be stupid what kind of paper u have for haitian to marry u u have a caribbean papers right but we are the same too y we need ur papers for i guess u dont know wat u say ok go and get some more education stop going guadeloupe to steal motocycles,and sale drug before u talk about haitian ok kerker and where u from in dominica cuz i will be there july cuz i love dominica i have to make a trip to there but i would love to meet face to face and talking to u can we do that plz,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

      • babs
        September 8, 2011

        I will answer you dave. The haitians marry Dominicans so they can get a change of surnames. Why? Let me tell you, They do not want haitians in ST.Maarteen for one I know. So you change your surnames to fix that situation. But I will say too, that the Spanish do it more than the Haitians. I think the only problems we get from haitians is their voodoo rituals they do on the island, but Dominicans do it to and even pay haitians to do it for them. You will also find the haitians engaged in working than the Spanish, the haitians though they are a proud people, work hard to get where they have to.

  9. keker
    April 10, 2011

    A LOT OF IGNORANCE HAS BEEN SPOKEN ON THIS CHAT ROOM
    NONE OF YOU DON’T HAVE THE ANSWERS FOR THESE PROBLEMS WE FACE IN DOMINICA.
    YES WE CAN HAVE SOME HAITIANS, BUT THE WAY THEY HAS THIS THIN GOING LIKE IT’S A GOLD MINE THAT CANT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IN DOMINICA ECONOMIC SITUATION DOMINICA.
    THE POINT SOMEONE MADE THAT THE HAITIANS SELLING ALL OVER THE STREETS IN ROSEAU SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, NO HARD FEELINGS TO THOSE HAITIANS, BUT THE MARKET IS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE, THE LAW SHOULD BE OBEYED, SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE IN HIGH PLACES ARE TAKING MONEY FROM ALL KIND OF CORRUPT SAUCES AND THEY GONNA BRING THE COUNTRY LIKE HAITI WATCH AND YOU WILL SEE, THAT’S AN UNHEALTHY SITUATION WE ARE FACING HERE, I HAVE ALREADY DEAL WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND BEFORE YOU SET THEM STRAIT THE THE FIRST WORD YOU HEAR FROM THEIR MOUTH IS THE THREAT OF OF VOODOO SO TELL ME WHERE THIS COUNTRY HEADING TO. DOMINICANS LIKE IT TOO THEY SHOULD PUT A HOLD ON ALL THOSE THAT ARE COMING AS OF NOW ON, SOONER OR LATER THEY WILL OVER RUN DOMINICANS, THEY SAID THAT SINCE COLUMBUS LEFT TO NOW IF HE COMES BACK HE WILL HE CANT MISSED DOMINICA. IT’S THE ONLY COUNTRY HE WILL REMEMBER. CAUSE IT NEVER CHANGED SINCE THEN AND THAT’S A DAMN SHAME IN THE FACE OF DOMINICAN CAUSE WE, IN OUR HISTORY NEVER HAD GOOD GOVERNMENT ALL THOSE BITCHES DID WAS PLAYED IGNORANT POLITICS WHEN THEY SHOULD BUILD THE COUNTRY AND THEY STILL HAS IT GOING TILL THIS DAY. THE WORST IS IN THE TIME OF EUGEUINA THE COUNTRY NEVER MOVED AN INCH. THAT’S WHEN THE LARGEST POPULATION OF DOMINICA MIGRATED AT ONE TIME THAT’S A RECORD IN THE HISTORY OF DOMINICA, SO IF YOU ALL WANT TO SIT THERE AND LET THOSE HAITIANS TAKE IT AND SPREAD VOODOO ALL OVER, IT WILL BE A SHAME BUT AM NOT GONNA MAKE THEM OVER RUN ME IN MY OWN COUNTRY.

    • Maria
      April 11, 2011

      Agree, well said!!

    • dave from haiti
      May 18, 2011

      i dont know who u are a man or a woman but listen haitian bring money to ur undevellope country cuz i remember when i was in dominica in 2004-05 whoever was incharge of the airport was sayn ,,,,,,wawwww i never smelling US,$ like dat them haitian bring the money all over me now my house is finshe cuz i’ve been going to tortola to work hard to finishe it but now look i have a new one build,,,,,so how come u talking bad about us ur country is a poor country more than haitian cuz u only look haiti in the news but go hait u will u dont have a country ok ur country need to be devellopre more cuz yall dont know nothing

      • babs
        September 8, 2011

        Hey dave, get this straight, haitian don’t bring money to our “UNDERDEVLOPED” country as you so ungratefully declared. If your country is more developed, why are you runnning from it in herds, risking your lives, knowing damn well you all cannot swim but crossing shark-infested waters. Please Try to stay home and rebuild your “developed” country, where there is no crime. I guess with all what you all know, your country should not be inthis state. The POWER OF GOD IS WORKING against the evil forces plaquing Haiti.

  10. anon
    April 7, 2011

    Police also found four rubber stamps, including, `two from the Immigration Department of the Dominica Police Force, and the other from the Inland Revenue Division of Dominica. One stamp with the inscription, “PAID”, was also found in the room occupied by the men.

    The men will remain on remand pending their hearing.

    LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLLLLLLLLLLLOLOLLLLLLLLOLOLOLOLLLLLLLL

    LMAO

  11. Anonymous
    April 7, 2011

    U ALL DOMINICANS STOP … CAUSE YR COUNTRY IS JUST A JUNGLE WITH NOTHING , IF CHRISTOPHER COLOMBUS COME BACK THE ONLY PLACE HE D REMENBER ONLY DOMINICA CAUSE YR BUSHY COUNTRY HAS NEVER been DEVELOPPED, IN 1970 MOST OF THE CARIBBEAN NATIONS USE TO GO WORK IN HAITI CAUSE AT THAT TIME THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF MY COUNTRY WAS BETTER ..

    I VE VISITED DOMINICA ONE IN 2004 AND I WAS DISGUSTED CAUSE NOTHING TO DO THERE I DON T KNOW WHAT HELL A FEW POOR HAITIAN PEOPLE GO THERE FOR AND REMENBER YR POPULATION IS ONLY ABOUT 100.000 AND U REPRESENT NOTHING TO THE WORLD .

    • Maria
      April 11, 2011

      I have to say we represent a lot to the world!

      Your county doesn’t have any trees only mud and dirty water. Dominica is one of the only places you can visit and drink the water and go bath in ANY river you want!! We don’t have a lot of development, but we survive, our people are happy the third happiest in the world!! We like our population the way it is, we don’t breed like Haitians and have kids all over the place without food and clothes!!! Yes, the only one Columbus will recognize!!! and we are proud of it! We are the “Nature Island of the Caribbean”, what is Haiti – the POOREST country in the western hemisphere!!
      Now you tell me who represents what?

  12. Maria
    April 7, 2011

    Haitians have dirty hands; get these people out of Dominica!!!

    No one wants these people in their country, why is Dominica playing hero? Live these people alone!!! Everywhere these people live is nasty, run down and smelling, with a bunch of kids running around. They are going to ruin Dominica!!! – so disgusted!!

  13. Can't please a dominican....
    April 7, 2011

    I hope when a group of dominicans commit crime in overseas countries allu agree to send all dominicans back home because it seems that individual actions and an entire country of people are to blame…

    lets back track some of the articles of crimes by dominicans in other countries and start a petition to send all dominicans home too…because “they” too rapist, thief, murderer, gangster etc… the things that “we” have done in other countries.. and everysingle one of “them” should be deported!

    Whats good for the goose….. I don’t know what gives allu the right to think that allu any better than a haitian national (whose only crime may to unfortunately be born in haiti)…

    Selfish, hypocrital, xenophobic (and racist!) set of ppl some of us are!

    Oh and we are supposedly christian too! what a laugh!

    Nuff said!

  14. Summer
    April 7, 2011

    Too many Haitians in Dominica!!!take a good look at their country…would you want them in yours? Everybody running away from Haitians, Dominica taking them in. Give it a few years and Dominica will be cursed just like Haiti. Stop taking them in…

  15. Realist
    April 7, 2011

    In the interest of caribbean and CARICOM, in particular, integration I think that we should allow our brother and sister Caricom Members in; the visas are the sifting mechanism to ensure that there is documentary indication of the legal entry of approved Haitians into the country.

    The issue of the selling of Agricultural produce in the streets of Roseau should most certianly be curbed; it is illegal, however the increase in Agricultural produce in this country by any national should be seen as a benefit to Dominica as we strive to rebalance our trade deficit.

    Not all Haitians use this illicit/backdoor means as an exit; not all people are the same. Those who are involved in the illicit, illegal activity however should be sactioned, caught and punished in accordance with the existing laws governing such actions.

  16. Patrick Marcel
    April 7, 2011

    Dominnica wake up. I am in another country and I am happy where I am I have serve there well
    Thank God. But the Government of Dominica cannot be so nieve to allow so many poor Haitean to take up residence in Dominica when we have so many of our people there suffering for lack of money. We have to help people, and of cause Haiti have a bad experience, but if we are helping them they should not be allowed to jepodize our way of livelyhood. Guade Loupe is one of our bread basket for years, so please do not allow the criminal to spoil it for our people. If the Haiteans want to go to Guade Loupe let them find another avenue. And please do not allow them to turn Roseau in another Port Au Prince. The is a food market
    let them use that and clean the streets of Roseau. I am livivng overseas

    • DA
      April 7, 2011

      u are so right ,

  17. Sphynx
    April 7, 2011

    Is he from the north?

  18. like it is
    April 7, 2011

    you bet a certain minister is involved in that
    well as they say a cat has nine lives
    maybe thats the nineth one about time for him
    to be caught.

  19. Anthony P. Ismael
    April 7, 2011

    There is no place for smuggling or human trafficking. This practice puts people’s lives in danger and it reduces them from a human being with rights, to property or a commodity.

    Unfortunately, our people are no longer involved in Agriculture as we once were. The Haitians saw a need and they are providing a service by selling produce in the Market. I have no problem with that, as long as they entered the country legally and they abide by and respect our laws.

    What’s sad about this post is, some of the critics are responding from North America, Canada, and Europe. They’re happy to have migrated to another land and see their dreams come true, but they do not want anyone to migrate to Dominica.

    Dominica is under-populated for its size. If we want to develop, the population base has to expand. I believe government should look at expanding the population through immigration. This expansion must be well planned and well thought out before it’s implemented.

    I have read complaints of Haitian construction workers under-cutting the Dominican worker. I say boo-hoo to that. Our contractors and skilled personnel believe that they have an inherent right to extend construction jobs as they see fit, show up late or not show up at all and charge exorbitant fees for their labor.

    I recall when my parents were building their home a few years ago and the experience was a nightmare. Fortunately, I was away at the time, or I would have been in jail right now for a serious assault charge or worse, as “I hate thieves and swindlers.”

    The world that we live in is competitive. No one has a right to anything unless they are willing to compete. Price competition is good for future home builders and those who are and will continue to purchase goods and services in the present and future. Look at the rise of China. It’s done mainly through the exportation of cheap goods due to minimal labor cost in manufacturing.

    While there are concerns about Human Rights issues, research the “Industrial Revolution” and you will observe the same practices.

    • dominica's finest
      April 7, 2011

      Mr.Ismael you are spot on.

      This is a well-written piece of social and economic commentary that was both factual and unbiased.

      Thank you.

    • Realist
      April 7, 2011

      Excellent piece Mr. Ismael. I concur with every word written.

      • DA
        April 7, 2011

        u are right , but at the same time if we cannot help or own how can we help other people, from a diffrent country.

    • anon
      April 7, 2011

      i agree with everything except the cheap labour bit.

      Look at the rise of China. It’s done mainly through the exportation of cheap goods due to minimal labor cost in manufacturing.

      i already underpaid how much cheaper can my labour get?????

    • DOMNICHEN
      April 7, 2011

      This a good piece, truth be told. You are so right about those swindlers.
      Never make that mistake of sending money home for people to build house for you.
      For sure you will die before it ever gets finished. These so called builders suck all the marrow from your bones and bleed you dry. Tomorrow they’ll be the first to say how you mal twavay.

  20. Okay
    April 7, 2011

    The article says “Among those wanted is a Dominican

  21. blengenden
    April 7, 2011

    si pani vole pa sa ni sitire .i know there aremany dominican that involt in that nasty busness the govenment of dominica have to stop that because it not all haitian that want to involt in that . im haitian and i living in ports mouth ,let me tell you i know alot of dominican in the north abuse some haitian take they money jump them on the sea.i remember 2006, 65 haitian and panish die on a old boat for a big man in ports mouth.

  22. wondering
    April 7, 2011

    keep them Haitians away cholera outbreak again… leave them in their place with their sickness

    • Anonymous
      April 8, 2011

      oho!!

      ALL U DOMINICANS TOO MODIE!!! ALL U COMMITING SOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH CRIME IN OTHER PPL COUNTRY! ALLU THIEF; GANGSTER AND I CAN GO ON AND ON!! STUPESSSSSSSSSSS!!! IS IT A FAULT OF THESE PPL WHY THEY HAVE CHOLERA OUTBREAK? WHAT DOES DOMINICA HAVE? AIDS OUTBREAK???? CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CHECK OTHERS!!!!

  23. thinking
    April 7, 2011

    no more great …man we need to do our own digging up to see where this really takes us . will this being shame to the government.and other big duns in Dominica. lets see!

  24. nyc
    April 7, 2011

    Wdma Them haitians always up to a scheme never trust them

  25. 4runner
    April 7, 2011

    You all talking about how bajans view other caribbean people, what about how we in dominica view haitians?

    • DA
      April 7, 2011

      there is nothing wrong in helping them but haitians thinks that the world own them something.I work with them so i know.

  26. long time
    April 7, 2011

    This human trafficking has been ongoing for years.
    About 10 years ago 2 fishermen from Soufriere were lost at sea, presumably, they left the village with Haitians for Martinique, they never returned. There was a certain bus driver who brought them through the village late at night. Soufriere and Scottshead people were involved. I knew the missing men, to this day we still wonder what ever happened to them.
    Sad, but true.

    • salopet
      April 7, 2011

      u must stop that eh,,,, it has never been known if is human trafficking,,,

    • STUPES
      April 7, 2011

      WHERE THAT COMING IN

  27. nyc
    April 7, 2011

    Dem haitians always up to a scheme don’t ever trust them

  28. FOREVER POSITIVE
    April 7, 2011

    WHY YOU NOT THINKING IS YOURSELF BUT FIRST THING IS A GOVERNMENT MINISTER – YOU HATERS STOP IT

  29. never alone
    April 7, 2011

    I do hope the Dominican is not a government minister

    • MARZHIE ALONE
      April 7, 2011

      I JUS GOIN TO TYPE THAT

    • bleep bleep
      April 7, 2011

      awa, i believe is a government well established civil servant, in high up place too, doh worry the bomb that just start to burst, wicked people…………….. their saturday dat coming

  30. Observer
    April 7, 2011
  31. Sunday's Child
    April 7, 2011

    99 days for the criminals, 1 day for the law. Sing it again, Sye.

  32. peace
    April 7, 2011

    those haitians eh! but why they refuse to remain in haiti and try to build their country nuh! stupes….

  33. PATRIOTIC FLAG
    April 7, 2011

    OK, enough is enough. Stop these Haitians immediately. I want to preserve Dominica for my son. You guys smile in our faces, but take us for fools.

    We have our issues as Dominicans, but at the end of the day we still mourn and celebrate together. I believe that one should respect one’s country when given the opportunity.

    Now since there is no litmus test to know the good, the will be bad soon, or the sly I support Protectionism.

    The Nature Isle (Dominica) and its people first.

    • Realist
      April 7, 2011

      Backward thinking as we try to progress to regionalism within CARICOM and the OECS. There is an aparent need for mindset change.

      Dominicans number in the thousands all over the world in different countries aiding in their development and sending barrels back home; yet we are xenophobic and talk about protectionism.

      If the shoe was on the other foot eh….so many of you want American Visas and Greencards, but you want no one else to aid in the building of your country.

      It cannot work this way; even the building blocks of the great United States of America was placed by immigrants. Lets learn our world history shall we….. ????

  34. Ruby
    April 7, 2011

    Boy! That Hatian Lady can chat weeeeee. Not just let them “Deep” you then you come back and try again.

  35. Anonymous
    April 7, 2011

    my poor country what is the world coming to …. If they want to help that’s okay but why jeopadize the country and it’s people this so sad

  36. look jokes
    April 7, 2011

    all shall eat!

    • Realist
      April 7, 2011

      True that….

  37. love
    April 7, 2011

    DONT WORRY ALLU DOMINI IN CANS,, I AM ONE TOO…. THEM HAITIANS WILL SPOIL ALLU COUNTRY, ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

    THE HAITIANS ALL OVER THE STREETS OF ROSEAU SELLING AGRICULTURAL STUFF ON THE GROUND,SOMETHING WE HAD LITTLE OF IN DOMINICA BEFORE THE HAITIANS CAME… AND SOME DOMINICANS ARE SUPPORTING THE HAITIANS IN DOING THAT….

    NOW THEY ARE USING DOMINICA AS A TRANSITION POINT TO GO TO OTHER PLACES……

    DONT WORRY THEY WILL SPOIL DOMINICA SOON…….. YOU SEE HOW THEY HAVE PIGS AND GOATS ON THE STREET IN HAITI TOWN ,PORT -AU- PRINCE WHILE THEY SELL ON THE GROUND???????? SAME THING THATS IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ROSEAU SOON…..

    • haters
      April 7, 2011

      you so right, first place i see pig, goat, sheep and people walking and selling together, papa god? they better go back haiti. by the whay, who endorsing those visas? domincans do alu homework!

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2011

      so true. Send them back Haiti and let them build their nation.

    • Anonymous
      April 7, 2011

      tell the p.m continue 2 bring them down .take as much as u can because when u live office .u will not be around to see the condition of dominica an ni men e yo

  38. haters
    April 7, 2011

    AMEN, God is not a policeman. I hope the dominican is a well established civil servant and not some little boat owner,the french need to do more homework, the network will fall!!! horay my prayers are being answered.

    • Pepper
      April 7, 2011

      The article said “a well established Haitian residing in Dominica”.

      • DOMNICHEN
        April 7, 2011

        Some of us speak english but can’t seem to understand it. please excuse them.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available