A 29-year-old former school teacher of Coulibistrie, Reneker Blanc and her fiancé Kevin Patrick Etienne of Dallas Texas who both reside in Morne Daniel have been charged with trafficking firearms and trafficking ammunition into Dominica.
According to Acting Inspector of Police, Fixton Henderson, on Friday 30th September 2022, about 2:30 p.m, customs officers along with police officers from the Drug Squad Unit discovered 20 pistols and 406 rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in cereal boxes at the Woodbridge Bay Port in Fond Cole.
“The cereal boxes were packed within a larger box package and sent to Dominica from the United States of America. The officers seized the firearms and ammunition,” Henderson disclosed.
He said that Blanc, who was clearing the box at the time, and Etienne, who was in the vicinity of the port, were arrested by the police on the same day.
Following investigation by the police, the pair appeared before the Roseau Magistrate court on October 4, 2022, where the charges of trafficking firearms and ammunition were read to them. They were not required to enter a plea since the matter is an indictable offense and is expected to be heard at the High court before a Judge and jury.
Inspector Henderson (Ag) further reported that when Blanc and Etienne reappeared before the court on October 5, 2022, bail was granted to Blanc in the sum of $100,000.00, while Etienne was remanded into custody pending a bail application on October 10, 2022.
Attorneys for the accused man were unsuccessful in their attempts to have the court stay the matter against him as they alleged that the investigating officer induced him into giving a statement during the course of the investigation.
The matter has been adjourned to February 24, 2023 for the start of Preliminary Inquiry to determine if there is enough evidence for the matter to be tried at the High court.
The acting Inspector reiterated the police stance on the importation and trafficking of firearms into Dominica.
“The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force wishes to warn the general public against the illegal importation and possession of firearms and ammunition and wishes to emphasize further that there will be no tolerance for such activities,” he cautioned. “Therefore, persons found engaging in illegal firearm activities will be dealt with swiftly according to law.”
We should not discount his CIA connections.
CIA connection or not Mistdem should get maximum penalty and then some,,,
Good point with the connection to CIA:
Dem guns must have serial numbers to trace them back to their manufacturer and sales records,,,
But DA BabylonDem doh ready for all rem kinna work dere, and CIA dem so tricky dey can turn dat story whichever way they want,,,
Some of dem BabylonMan dem well looking at them guns for their personal collection,,,
Wait a minute, why all the guilty comments, and what’s so special about them? Are they not considered INNOCENT until PROVEN guilty?
Let me tell you. A man wearing a label on the sleeve of his suit like that is tacky, more so on a cheap one and shows lack of class and self confidence, most likely what we call a saga boy. and a showman. Trust me, people like that are cheap and he probably used that young lady’s emotions to get her cooperation in this nastiness. Anyway, that is only my opinion. Let the police do their work and leave the judgement to the court.
I fully agree about that suit. I always say that about them. Even if it is a high end designer piece, you dont leave the tags ad labels on your suit. Shows a complete lack of class and tact.
Well spotted. How irresponsible and downright stupid, these fools are responsible for senseless killings no doubt, lives over money, may your long sentence be a lesson. At least we have SOME firearms off the streets.
With a very corrupt and deceptive government, a very corrupt and greedy police department and a very corrupt and unjust judiciary I would be shocked if some big people here are not connected to this movie.
These people convinced me that Mehul Choksi illegally entered Dominica only to find out later that Choksi was allegedly kidnapped and after they spent so much money taking the man to doctor and before their corrupt Court they finally St the man back to Antigua and dismissed all charges while Dominicans were left like fools.
These people are on record saying Alireza Monfared was a good gentleman from Dubai that loves us, has money and wants to help us when they knew the man was a wanted criminal from Iran that they were hiding in Dominica, daily riding on top government cars and most times even driven by police.
Am sorry but when it’s thes characters we have leading us I just can’t defend them in any messi and corrupt deal Get us the FBI to get the fact
They deserve life in prison
Ever been to prison Bosco? Its always those who have never that always wishing on people. Life is funny and you never know who will end up where.
https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/swiss-national-freed-of-fire-arms-and-ammunition-charges/
Remember when they ketch the white man with a container full of guns? Watch the difference when the people doing it are African descendants!
How about Haiti then bro. Our brothers there mostly are more black than we ourselves but apparently the place there totally out of control and now their government asking for foreign force to come and help control their gangs. They are a member of Caricom after all so maybe we could send our regional task force to help out like they did for Skerrit at the last election. They have the experience you know, ask the people of Bawi.
Not sure bout Haiti, their political affairs seem to be publicised in a propaganda sort of way, so unless I have access to the local perspective then I have no way of understanding whats happening there.
Dominica however, is ruled by white supremacy in black face. A white man can literally bring in a whole container load of guns & ammunition with zero consequence. I doubt these two will have the same luck since their skin is melanated. Only white men are permitted to have illegal guns in Dominica!
A school teacher? We have to be satisfied with what we have. Greediness sometimes and peer pressure. How do you feel when you hear about the climbing murder rate in your country. Shame on you both. God does not sleep.
Jail them and I hope they get 20 years or more, one of the two is believed to be my relative ,I don’t care one s**t don’t let them get off lightly it’s time the courts in Dominica set an example of these nasty little criminals.
@ kid although you sounding hard on them but I don’t trust you at all you know. You so damn evil and supporting and defending so much of the evils of Skerrit I wonder if you are clean in this one
Exactly my way of thinking. All those that defend the indefensible all the time can’t be trusted.
I wonder if this US citizen was one of the secret Snipers on Navy seals Melissa Skerrit is on record saying she had during the 2019 election? Just asking because when those in authority make statements we have to liste especially when we know another election might not be too far away. Who knows if these people were not preparing
So Kevin is from Dallas Texas, he resides in Morne Daniel and is charged in Dominica with trafficking illegal firearms? Boy not 1, or 2 or 3 but 20 pistols and 406 rounds of 9mm ammunition ? Mister think he was Monfared who was allowed to come to Dominica to hide in Honorable style here and brought bags of illegal cash and distributed to top men in top positions here?
I believe his well calculated plan failed maybe because the US got to know too much about it?
My suggestion is the man is a US citizen and the guns came from the US so I call on the government of Dominica to seek help from the US, where they can track everything, all those that knew about this illegal deal both here and in the US and probably even know who would benefit from them
The guns could have been legally bought. But obviously illegally exported from the US. The quantity suggest they were most likely for resale. And if it was meant for the Dominican market then that’s frightening. Then again Dominica may not have been the final destination.
Judges in Dominica are a joke that’s why these things keep reoccurring
Very reckless behavior. I’m glad they were caught and brought to the law before something happen
The greed of Dominicans is without limits. The CM is a good teacher.
Hope the Feds are alerted, he needs to be charged for gun trafficking by the USA.
It seems that this was / is a lucrative business. Might not be the first time. Give him the max; let’s see what those money hungry lawyers will plead
If the feds are not notified then I would conclude that some big boys in Dominica are involved and they have to try the feds out. But the feds must get involved so we could have a real investigation with the feds ability to track phone conversations
Well he lives in Morne Daniel like PM Skerrit so I guess they had their meetings. I guess this one just didn’t go as planned. Remember Alirez Monfared lived in Morne Daniel as well and only later we got to know who were his friends?
So if i live in Morne Daniel i have meetings with Skerrit too? Skerrit is a new resident. Only lived there a year before Maria. Since his arrival Morne Daniel people have not been happy with what has been taking place in the neighborhood. Currently he is destroying the road in his immediate location, looking like to lay more pipes for his house. Skerrit living in the neighborhood mean nothing to the actual residents who are paying their mortgages or rents to live there out of their pockets.
The receivers were intercepted now is the senders turn. Jail them and lock them up with a padlock that has no key.
One thing matters like that are dealt with quickly but when Children are molested the cases go on and on. Public does not know nothing. You all don’t call the men names. But every other thing declawaying. Hmmmmmmm
There are so many killings in Dominica they have the nerve smuggling guns in barrels. Their bail should be higher so others will think twice, set of wicked people.
The gung were shipped in a box not a barrel there are these big shipping boxes that’s use for shipping, and they think there are lots of stuff can be hidden. But in a barrel, it would be found easy. The woman was his passport and she fell in a trap I wish and hope I am wrong but sometimes he could of tell her the box contain other thing’s
Hmm. Why the drive to have so many guns imported just before our festive creole season? What is about to happen here people?
Any reason why the man is shown and not the woman?
ADMIN: We only had his picture at time of publishing. Photos of both individuals have since been uploaded.
Good catch, if found guilty each one should receive one year for every pistol and an additional year for the round of 9mm ammunition, that is 21years each with no parole. These well dressed thugs would like to turn Dominica into the sh.. hole country they reside.
I hope the incompetent popo throw the book at them and not capitulate to political pressure to “put cutlass in it”.
While I applaud the decision of the magistrate disregarding the defense action to essentially have the case thrown out even before trial, I firmly believe the officer induced the accused into giving a statement in which he may have incriminated himself. Never do that!
The public is somewhat sympathetic to the young lady, but I am convinced she was aware of the package’ contents but thought she could use her charm on the customs officers thus avoiding a thorough search. So, I find it in poor taste that she was given bail and the young man was sent back to stocky. When you are woman enough to do the crime then pah-play-way-bah-mwen! Having said that, they need not worry because that case will go nowhere. The officer will either resign or the case file will disappear so they will walk free. After all, we ae talking about Dca under the spell of a cabal.
So the Dominican woman and her American fiancee are caught in an illegal firearms transaction and the media can only show us a picture of the American who was not even clearing the goods at the port. I’d say this is shoddy journalism. I’m sure that most people know the woman who is from Dominca and as such would have more interest in seeing her picture to identify the culprit. Come better than that,DNO.
ADMIN: We only had his picture at the time of publishing. The article has since been updated with photos of both individuals.
Life in prison for both culprits. We need to send a strong message that anyone found guilty of trafficking in guns will receive an automatic life sentence.
I fully support this. There is insufficient muscle within the law to deal with scum like this. Automatic life sentence, minimum 25 years for illegal import of firearms and ammunition.
You are a joke, life in prison for bringing guns into the island?
Everybody in Dominica needs to do something for a living to earn money; if there were sources of employment, maybe those who indulged in criminal activities would not have the time to deal in criminal conduct!
While you suggest life for both accused; suggest life for the politicians especially the one at apex, we know to be a damn thief.
The one who went from rags to riches within five years of becoming prime minister and boasted that he is the richest prime minister in the Caribbean.
You should suggest that the politician who refuse to account for the two ($2,000,000.0000) billion dollars missing from the government treasury be investigated and arrested, and the state demand that he accounts for his vast wealth which his earnings cannot afford!
What is good for the goose is good for the gander:
There is no difference in politicians stealing, and one importing guns: both acts are criminal!
Did you even take the time to read the story? This a former teacher (left her job) and an individual from Dallas where there are more jobs than workers and you have the nerve to talk about “making a living”? Stop talking that nonsense.
These folks are plain lazy and have no regard for Dominicans and will do anything for easy money. They should both receive the maximum punishment under the law, no questions asked.
I guess you have become immune to all the gun violence in your neck of the woods in LA therefore this type of crime is no big deal for you.
Lastly, you are consumed by your hatred and jealousy of the PM. As a result, you’re unable to see the seriousness of the crime.
Our hope is to keep guns out of the streets for as long as we can and brag about Dominica being the safest place on planet earth.
Mark, they were not arrested in Texas, as far as I read it would appear the guy has a Dominica name. I don’t know if he is Dominica born or not.
If he is America born, he may not be able to function in Texas, and that would have to do with education, and profession if any , if he is Dominica born his alternative might be to return home.
As for the woman leaving a teaching job in Dominica is like leaving nothing!
By now you know teaches, nurse, police officers, and civil servants are on staveation salary.
Not too long ago we read the complaint of a nurse about finishing the night shift, and have to walk home simply because she doesn’t have a car!
The reason she and others can’t afford a motor vehicle is simply because their Salary cannot afford one.
These people have to decide between food, a roof over their heads, and Car.
Nevertheless, crooks like Roosevelt pays to himself almost a million dollars per year in rent out of the Government treasury.
Francisco, walking is good. It keeps you fit. Weather is not an issue in Dominica since we don’t have seasons.
I don’ t know how long you’ve been gone from the land but back in the day, we all walked and guess what, everyone was Slim and Trim. And that was, without the luxury of any gyms on island.The same cannot be said about today’s generation. LAZY.
Nowadays, there are Goodwill buses running constantly therefore the nurse can always catch the bus if she doesn’t want to walk. There’s no shame in riding the bus. Lots of people ride the bus in the US. I did it for many years.
The good nurse should not stress herself over not having a vehicle. I can almost see her vehicle right around the corner so just be patient.
Mark, in the days when we walked, it was good but also not avoidable! The only people who could avoid a car were the priest from Wesley, the Methodists minister at Marigot, and a few Estate owners.
The first locals to introduce public transportation on the North were Kingston Telemaque and his brothers.
No need to remind you of the story or joke: “ah look ya awe lorry a come ey eye ah shine like flambow!”
We also have seasons; Spring begins somewhere after January; Summer or “Karem or Carem” begins in August, after September or in the hurricane season, that’s our winter.
In any event a car is a necessity these days, nurses, and other civil servants should not have to finish working at midnight and have to walk home.
In the colonial days doctors were provided with a horse, then bicycle, then motor vehicles.
We are in modern times my friend such are no longer a luxury, reserved for the rich, they are simply a necessity these days!
Where it pertains to politics; no matter how serious the debate gets, no matter the insults I get:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
I never once feel any anger, or hate towards anyone; not even Roosevelt Skerrit whom I criticize everyday; although I know he is a corrupted crook eh!
The worst thing anybody can do is become political enemy to anyone.
We have to live above that; no two person sees the same things we do not think alike, there fore opinions shall forever defer; but that does not mean people should not get along.
@Francisco, how many glasses of Gin have you had since morning? Your jokes is a bit tarty by the minute, I am bored and feeling sorry for you sad and lonely man.
Well, I drank the same amount you drank this morning; the difference is whereas you are inebriated to a point where you are not in a sound mind feeling sorry for yourself: I am in my sound mind enjoying life!
You are the lonely one without a wife, friends or frequenters; nobody wish to deal with you, or visit with you because they know you are a puppet of a certain corrupted crook; a damn thief! (I doh calling him name eh, cause if I do everybody will know is who I talking bout eh!)
People fear if the associate with you; your Skerrit mentality will rub off on them so they avoid you.
And by the; do you think people wish to get bitten by a drunken dog with rabies?
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahah!
Francisco, I’m sure glad we still have a sense of humor. Life is too short to be angry all the time. We can have differing opinions, support whomever we want but that shouldn’t make us enemies. We can still remain civil in our disagreements.
Long life, my brother.
You and your ghost writer writes as if both of you are perpetually intoxicated. How many glasses you downed for the day?
This is a serious matter for Dominica; these firearms were brought into the country for one purpose and one purpose only – to kill Dominicans! Individuals who engage in this behaviour are a danger to the country and should be removed from society, until they pose no further threat – maybe when they are over 80 years old.
These scum need to be put away for long time. They are very selfish and only care about money. They do not care about the carnage they cause by importing these deadly weapons into the country.