“It is like the Montserrat volcano with lots of activities and just waiting to blow up anytime soon.”
That is how someone with information is describing a matter in which jewelry destined for a local establishment disappeared while in the custody of customs.
The proprietors of Quin Jewelry have sought legal advice and through their lawyer Heather F. Felix Evans, have written to comptroller of customs, Roderick Deschamps, on June 13, 2014 seeking redress and compensation of EC$48,710.04 after paying customs EC$7,059.42 in duties for the merchandise which was left in the care of Customs.
Sources have also confirmed that the police were called in to investigate the matter and it is just waiting to “explode.”
“An investigation was launched, a report was submitted from the Customs to the police but they are not satisfied with the report and it was sent back for further investigations … I can tell you people are in trouble,” the source disclosed.
It is now six months and counting since the disappearance of the jewelry and the two customs officers (a junior employee and a supervisor), who handled the matter, are reportedly pointing fingers at each other.
“The one who handled the matter is laying the blame on his supervisor while the supervisor is claiming he is not to be blamed for the disappearance of the jewelry. I smell a rat, some heads will roll. People have to be arrested in this matter and it is dicey and waiting to explode,” the source revealed.
The proprietors of Quins Jewelry, Vernesa and Shean St. Hilaire, have remained tight-lipped on the matter but through their lawyer they stated they have “suffered serious loss and damage” and had these pieces of jewelry been available to them and sold would have made a profit of at least “$48,710.04”.
“The disappearance of the jewelry has deprived our client of the opportunity to make said profit,” Felix Evans wrote in her letter.
According to the source, it seems that both customs officers have given the police conflicting reports which further compounds the matter.
“They each have given a different story, but none is saying what has happened to the jewelry which was in their custody and that is very telling since they were the persons who dealt with the client,” the source stated.
In the meantime, Quins Jewelry remains without its goods and no arrest or disciplinary action is yet to be taken the source revealed.
Deschamps refused to give a comment on the matter saying it was against customs policy to so do.
“Somebody have to be accountable for the disappearance of the jewelry, disciplinary action have to be taken. That is theft and people ought to be arrested for that matter, but I can tell you that a can of worms is waiting to burst when that happens,” the source stated.
That is expected when you put your cousin in charge of customs over more capable officers.
it’s about time something drastic is done with regards to people’s goods “mysteriously” disappearing while on the port. I have experienced this on more than one occasion and it’s beyond frustrating. Add to that, the customs officers and other employees have a nasty attitude. I hope justice is truly served in this case. It’s long overdue.
Too many thieves in this place and none are punished. Crime appears to pay……..at least on DA unless you are unlucky enough to be caught with weed.
Why did you all freeze my likes and dislikes, please activate it I would like to know how other people think of my statement – good or bad? OK
DNO WHERE IS MY COMMENT?? I will say it again. ONE DAY they will mess with the wrong person stuff and when they wake up next morning and notice their hands cannot move from their side, that’s when they will know what time it is. DIRTY HAND SET OF PEOPLE!
If they wake up.
One time we ordered 6 laptop computers and they disappeared in Customs. How does that happen, I have no idea. Why do people want more than they can afford? When you get caught, you lose your reputation, your dignity, and you make your family shame. What a mess.
Some of those family members should question when those things come to the house. So take what all you get.
It is about time someone takes them to task. Too many things go “missing” from the port regardless of the fact that they have arrived and tailgate is paid for. Finally some justice!
So true,i was a victim of this
There’s no justice yet. I hope it was insured.
smh !
Ahhhhh not to the Quinn’s Jewelry. The owners are very pleasant and considerate business people. At Quinn’s, one gets service with a smile. So, police officers, please do whatever it takes to get redress for Vernesa and Shean. These thieves must be brought to justice. Calypso is the voice of the people. Just listen to the song “Voodoo on De Port” and you will get a clear picture of what is going on there.
We want answers
You see how this country is upside down, back to front and inside out. Look at how quick they went to arrest Mr. Lugay, and you mean to tell me six months later not one of these custom officers have been arrested or even held for questioning. Yes sah I tell you.
Voodoo !!! Voodoo on de port !
The police did not hesitate to go and arrest Danny though
The only way is to make an example of someone. The change should start with the head who is giving bad example to the branches of the system. I say it loud and clear, let skerrit face the courts for all the borbols that he had done. The police should arrest him at the airport when he returns from T&T. Be brave and tell him.”Go to Hell, enough is enough”.
Too much hatred in your heart, you spuing venom. Poor you.
“An investigation was launched, a report was submitted from Customs to the police but they are not satisfied with the report and it was sent back for further investigations….”
So it appears that Customs investigated itself and the police sit back waiting on a satisfactory outcome! The Port Authority, as the institution responsible for these employees, should pay the proprietors of Quins Jewelry for their loss while they discipline their employees appropriately. Two employees may have handled the jewelry clearance but, unless they were the only ones with keys to a particularly safe area, time is wasted investigating only two employees.
If duties of $7 059.42 was already paid, why was the merchandise left in the care of Customs? That should not exonerate those we trust to keep our merchandise safe, but the police need to get off their butt and ask the tough questions. After six months, search warrants are useless since that jewelry is probably sold by now. They only wrote to the Controller of Customs on June 13th, almost 5 months after the disappearance? That story is fishy, to say the least!
Jewelry Bobol.
my items were stolen recently also,dno hope you all post this one,these custom officers have it coming.
The Police need to do their job and make an example to all.
I know what it is like, I have been on the receiving end. To every three parcel I send to Dominica, One always go missing. They are always tracked to Dominica Customs and vanished from there. This is no “Voodoo”.
This sounds like Mexico or some other latin-american port of call/customs etc.
Some yrs ago like back in themed to late 90’s their gold chains bracelets etc were found in stoves and other appliances what became of that. It was linked to the muslem store that died a quiet death.
We are aware of many issues on both sides customs and importers. hey what can one expect when fraud is committed from the head of of this dragon DA? If peeps not paying land transfers and blame it on their lawyer and the lawyer is known to be more than shady what is not feasible
DON King Said: “only in America” he perhaps never heard of the Commonwealth of DA.
The two customs officals should they tell the owners Quins Jewelry go to hell, go to hell, where we put the jewelery is not your damn business. The jewelery business is too free.
And suspend them from coming thru Customs until the case is called. lol!
This sounds like Mexico or some other latin-american port of call/customs etc.
Some yrs ago like back in themed to late 90’s their gold chains bracelets etc were found in stoves and other appliances what became of that. It was linked to the muslem store that died a quiet death.
We are aware of many issues on both sides customs and importers. hey what can one expect when fraud is committed from the head of of this dragon DA? If peeps not paying land transfers and blame it on their lawyer and the lawyer is known to be more than shady what is not feasible
DON King Said: “only in America” he perhaps never heard of the Commonwealth of DA.
The two customs officials should they tell the owners Quins Jewelry go to hell, go to hell, where we put the jewelery is not your damn business. The jewelery business is too free.
And suspend them from coming thru Customs until the case is called. lol!
the mid to late 90′s there were gold chains etc.
Typo
What is the hold-up that the owners of the jewelry have not received satisfaction on who stole the jewelry? I can imagine their anxiety of such a loss.
There may be more than one person involved. The jewelry is hidden somewhere. It should have been under lock and key and only two people; not one only, should have had access to it.
Does the custom not have security cameras? If not, it is high time one is installed. This security camera should be monitored from elsewhere in Roseau; not at the customs
The employees who knew about the jewelry and who handled it, should be questioned individually. The investigating officers should check when they arrived at work, went to lunch, if they left the premises during work hours and when they left work in the evening.
If two of them knew about the jewelry, then both should be held responsible and accountable.
You will be shocked and in denial, because you are a stranger to the truth. Can’t tell you.
There are some people who love to give thumbs down for sensible comments and what they could learn from. Whoever gave thumbs down may be associated with this theft or is an offender. Why else would you give thumbs down? You gave yourself away.
I hope the culprit (s) get caught and soon enough and to pay the price for this theft. They are in a trusted position and they cannot be trusted. All concerned should be fired which is what they deserve. Let them quake in their socks and shoes. Their day is coming. Take this and smoke it in your pipe.
How does $48 000. 00 worth of jewelry just go missing? That is a lot of stuff for someone to carry and no one sees them magway sa. I suspect more than one person involved. Lack of accountability (people getting away with things and having no one to answer to) is the biggest crime in Dominica right now
Well the supervisor is responsible if it happened while he or she was on duty that’s what they a hired to do. Well disappearing act tokk the jewelry. They should put them behind bars due to thier sticky hands.
Mystery ha? Bobol again.
In these last days of age we must not pay a blind mind when this things come to us the bible make mention of our present day what it will be like donot envy what a man have for you dont know what they do to have it why why should somone with a heart holding a position in high office to deal with people in a day to day basic see himself to be comfortable with what he dont swet for shame on that individual have a god given conscence and delivered back the items.
Where is CARBON in all of this? This is CRAP! If this thing happened so long ago what is taking them so long to deal with these DIRTY officers. According to the article the merchandise was still in their possession. If it disappears within the department one or both of them has to know what happened to the woman’s people’s stuff. Now I know I am going to get a lot of thumbs for my next statement but it dosen’t bother me. Had it been someone found with a joint I am certain they would have been arrested charged and given a date to pay the high fine from our so called Justice system, and failing to pay they would be sent to STOCK FARM. Someone explain to me why the business has to wait so long for the police department or customs department to tell them who STOLE their merchandise.
It is amazing how often this kind of thing goes on and no one pays. The culture of “bobol” is alive and well in Dominica. Everyone one wants something for nothing. Everyone one wants to get rich at other people expense. Send them to jail.
“Everyone” plus “one”? Twice?
well as they say voodoo on the port
well as they say voodoo on they port
…call as pastor, call a priest to put the devil out….
Some Cases are difficult to go to Court, not because there is a lack of evidence but because the fence maybe politically too HIGH
It’s 2014 I wish some things in Dominica proceed to change, I mean really is this what we have come too? Disgusting.
My boo is a customs officer and I know it aint him. However, this is very sad and the culprits should be arrested. Quin’s jewelry is my store for all my fashion jewelry. Hope this investigation is solved soon.
so you say
Since last month and only now the cat is let out of the bag. Arrests not yet done by the Police. Ma gwe sa. What’s going on in D.A.
These occurances have to stop. Nobody is ever held accountable when these things happen, and in time it just all gets swept under the carpet as if it never happened in the first place. I know quite a few people who have had things missing from their barrels and parcels at customs. Nothing has ever been done about it. Put in cameras and make ALL employees there be accountable.
ya that is CJB reporting, one style to writing
What did the calypsonian say again ” Voodoo on the port”
Not on the port alone it is national times are hard and this is the tip of the ” voleurberg”.Its tout par tou from Parliament Gov’t like opposition CS/ports everywhere.
It’s a national crisis.
Custom fraud , child abuse, defrauding customs ,ministers on trips. Sex abuse LL claims Ministers are sexually abusing young girls looking for work and help lol!
The Gov’t ministers and supporters saying opposition leader has his skeletons in that sphere too.
I don’t know but Radio Bois Patat have a clear case in which a minister impregnated his son’s girl friend the son has been unstable since. Are these the kinds of leaders we have as ministers. Immoral guys in office? I can understand partners trying their sex games but rape is something else now impregnating ur son’s girlfriend is no joke that’s serious monkey business.
No wonder a certain sister in the Diaspora said/says DA is a failed state! that’s true as the evidence is there.
I do not understand how the lawyer can ask for the profit which the people would make without asking for the cost of the people’s jewelry
I guess they are sueing for the profit automatically they would have to pay them for the cost of the jeweleries and the fees that they had already paid to customs. Therefore it goes way higher than the profits they are asking for.
There seems to be a Rat infestation on the Port. There are many cases that are not being reported. Just recently some people coming in for a Reunion had some parts missing in a barrel after they opened it and went to pay the tail gate. The people who were there have all denied.
They should only open the barrels, boxes or parcels in the presence of the owners. It is obvious those employees are not to be trusted.
That source sounds like C.JB. The words used sounds like that person’s style of speaking
My thoughts exactly.
So,…..who is CJB??? Hmmm, I wonder if is . . . . . . . . boy let me hush my mouth before they sue me.
Oh how I wish this makes an example of the system and the old ways on how they still do things I want them to pay at least a hundred grand, and you know what when action will taken some fools will come on here and say there own infront but people own behind but someone has to pay and those cops and their half A they does do its a shame. I know a young lady that this guy broke into her house they knew who did it they knew where lived not one of them went to arrest or tried to retrieve the ones she had she had to beg a police she knew to go with her things need to change when you all keep talking about change that’s where you all need to start with the so called change.
whats the offices name say it its time for them man to stop that thing they doing there
The Police Department should do their job and let the chips fall where they may because a crime have been committed and someone or both should be held responsible .
OMG!
look berdelle
To many times poor people are going through this same problem at customs and othings comes out of it. I hope those officers are called out and make to pay for this continuous acts of theft.