Goodwill man facing $267,000 fine and jail sentence for cocaine and firearms charges

A Goodwill man was sentenced to pay over a quarter million dollars immediately for the possession and intent to supply 10,000 grams of cocaine or he could face up to a year-and-a-half in prison.

Thirty-nine-year-old Port Stevedore Edvar Benoit and Wyldolyn Peltier were arrested at Benoit’s home on February 11, 2010 by Drug Squad officials during a warranted search.

Benoit pleaded guilty to possession and intent to supply cocaine while his female counterpart pleaded not guilty to both charges. These charges were dropped against her by a request from the prosecution.

Benoit was sentenced to pay $67,000 on the charge of possession of cocaine and $200,000 for the intent to supply charge

According to the facts of the case, Constable N. Alexander and Drug Squad officials had found the packaged drugs in a pail in Benoit’s home and asked Peltier to account for it. She told them that it belonged to Benoit.

She was arrested and taken to the Roseau Police Station. Benoit later met with the police at 9 p.m. at the Police Headquarters when he surrendered himself accompanied by his lawyer Kondwani Williams.

When confronted about the drugs Benoit said, “Officer the cocaine you found is my responsibility… the pail I give Boogie this morning. This is the ten packs.”

According to the court, the said cocaine amounts to 22 pounds of cocaine with a street value of $267,000.

In another matter Benoit was sentenced to spend another six months in prison after pleading guilty to the possession of firearms and three months for possession of ammunition.

According to the court, Benoit and his girlfriend were charged on February 11, 2010 for the offenses after police found a 9mm and .45 pistols in a plastic bag in their toilet the same day at Goodwill. Benoit was not at his home at that time.

Six rounds of .45 and five rounds of 9mm ammunition were also found at Benoit’s home.

Benoit pleaded guilty to the charges while his girlfriend pleaded not guilty. The charges against her were withdrawn.

When confronted about the drugs and ammunition he stated, “Officer, me that put them there. I get them from Guadeloupe…”

The six-month jail sentence will run consecutively with other sentences while the three-month jail term will run concurrently.

In a plea of mitigation, Benoit’s lawyer said that his client was a father of five who supported his children and earned a very low income. He asked the court to temper justice with mercy and pleaded with the magistrate not to impose a custodial sentence on his client.

The Chief Magistrate spoke against the high prevalence of drugs use among the youth and the increase of drug addicts roaming city streets.

“It is important that this is stopped and the message is sent,” she said.

Baptiste added, “He has made his choices… He should have looked for legal work… He has no care who is going to get that (cocaine). Guess what! It might be an unsuspecting school boy.”

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.

30 Comments

  1. July 25, 2011

    FREE UP UP D VA,MISSUNDERSTANDING :-x

  2. slave
    July 14, 2011

    BLOOD MONEY NOT MONEY

  3. rabbit
    February 27, 2011

    he just try something but it did not work for him he is not a bad boy he is not a drug dealer

  4. February 23, 2010

    brother we all make mistake ,sometimes we dont think for ourselves,when you get out try another road always say a prayer,wish you the best when you get out

  5. Spie
    February 18, 2010

    Well done my girl,thought it was Tyani,it’s nice that you have taken a page from his book.We the civil servants work so hard to build our homes and these thugs do absolutely nothing but steal,kill and peddle drugs.The sentence was just right.So many familys are broken and young boys are falling by the wayside because of these drugs.It’s of my opinion that if the property belongs to this guy,the state should sieze it as well.Well done miss Baptiste.

  6. Yes Papa
    February 18, 2010

    According to the Inspector Weekes, with all the sentences, this guy is looking at 2 1/2 to 3 years in Jail…..still not enough.. but then again…. still goes to show.

  7. BAPTISTE DONT PLAY !!!!!!!
    February 18, 2010

    I have to associate myself with the many favourable sentiments which were echoed in the direction of this very skilled and experienced dispenser of justice the very learned ( Chief Magistrate EVALYNA BAPTISTE of DOMINICA … BORN AND BRED ). Many of you dont recognise the tremendous efforts and hours which this grass roots academic put into her job and while many are asleep she is up doing the peoples business and not involved in self aggrandizement etc.

    Her judgment is consistent with her application of the law to the facts of the case before her. Its not based on how she thinks she is going to be perceived in the media or on the streets. Its not about self confessed bravery and arrogance but its all about JUSTICE. The filling up of our prisons is not the objective of MS BAPTISTE. She does not subscribe to the view that litigants should be fearful of her but recognize quite clearly that the law must be respected at all costs and our society must remain free for all . The rule of law must be respected both by magistrates and the accused and all other legal practioners !

    I salute you on your continued stance against crime in this country and wish you more success on the bench. May the great lord continue to bless you with more wisdom and knowledge .

  8. True Justice
    February 18, 2010

    Why is it that in Dominica those found guilty to be in possession of illegal drugs no matter the quantity or intent to distribute are only fined and never given direct sentences? This perpetrator was fined the equivalent of the street value of the cocaine in his possession. This will be paid off in short order only for him to obtain more to make back his money. It will be a blow to his drug operation, or to who ever he may have been holding/distributing the drugs for. But there are no real consequences. The financial impact to the drug dealers in this country is no different than making a bad investment on the stork market.

    Dominica needs a justice system that fines perpetrators of such crimes significantly more than the value of the drugs in their possession, AND hands down mandatory jail sentences irregardless of how many children they may have. This is the only way to deter the rampant dealing of these substances in our country. Having children is no excuse to sell drugs.

    The justice system should go even a step further. If jail time was mandatory for such offenses the prosecution could then make deals with those caught for reduced (not eliminated) sentences in exchange for their testimony against those higher up the drug hierarchy. This is how the “Big Boys” are brought down in other countries, by turning those lower down to testify. Unless such a system is put in place the status quo will remain.

    It is time to start deterring crime in Dominica and not just Taxing Crime for the judge, lawyers, police get their share of the spoils.

  9. Impacttheworld
    February 18, 2010

    Everytime there is a crime or infraction in D/ca, one if the things that many people on this blog always says is “my God/bon dieu, what is happening to our DA?”. I hear this so often, it is becoming really boring, guys. You need to come to the realization that the twenty first century has caught up with DA, ok. Things have changed. Time has evolved. We cannot bring back the days of milk and honey. The world has gotten much smaller as a result of globalization; and DA is not immune. Young people want more as a result of what they see on cable TV. They want the nice gold, beautiful car, and fancy garbs. We all want some of the same things, but we work hard for them.

    The young generation does not want to earn or work for anything. Even some of the older generation want instant gratification. Improving the employment prospects would help, but remember that people who want things instantly do not like the regular 9 – 5.

    Zero telerance for guns and drug possession. The sentence was too light.

    TO MARY: You think that this person is good, because he took the rap for someone else? Whoa!!! You think that is heroic, and is a badge of honor? That type of cavalier attitude will take us into a darker area.

  10. SPIRIT
    February 18, 2010

    That jail time is just a joke,shame on the magistrate. Even if mister have that money is better he go take his jail he will be out in little time. The man should be facing ten years jail.The magistrate was giving Tihani Behazin (magistrate from possie )hard time for his stance against the drug dealers now she talking about paros all over the place and drug users but she still giving a man that little jail time for all that cocaine and still guns and live rounds. Get a life madam.

  11. Anthony Ismael
    February 17, 2010

    I love the stern message from the Magistrate. However, there is some inconsistency between the fine and jail time. I’m sure this individual do not have $267,000.00 to pay his fine. Therefore, eighteen months in prison is a very easy way out for this individual. With good behavior and overcrowding at the Stock Farm Prison, he will be home within six months. He should be facing at least ten-fifteen years in jail minimum.

  12. benoit
    February 17, 2010

    see u soon brother

  13. al
    February 17, 2010

    not good

  14. Judge & Jury
    February 17, 2010

    LOCK HIM UP…AND HIS LAWYER TOO (even asking for non-custodial sentence)…

  15. LCM
    February 17, 2010

    here is a start for forensics in the Police force;

    I know you Officers are going to do some ballistics on those firearms check and see if they were not involve in a crime.

    Further more you are going to set up a data base with the ballistics and also track the serial number as far as possible. May get you to the illegal gun suppliers.

    You guys have that covered.

  16. the true one
    February 17, 2010

    ya i dnt have a problem with the judgememt but their a some fools making comments on getting a job n thing aint everybody that got the chance 2 go 2 school n ppl got to start somewhere the jail just going to make him stronger trust me learn from his mistake n be better at the work he doing these ppl dnt leave drugs selling

  17. Anonymous
    February 17, 2010

    Lame, just lame, we the masses wanna see pictoral evidences DAMMIT !!!

  18. C.I.H
    February 17, 2010

    Well done!!! Thats the right message that should be send to those wicked drug pushers. Good start and hope the trend continue. We want our country back, and we want a drug free country. Thought was Benhanzin that was the Magistrate as reported by the Police PRO. Needs clarification. Good job Police and magistrate (whoever).

  19. sadist
    February 17, 2010

    boy mr. sot .all dat drugs in yuh home?dat sentence not enough. all dat coke? boy wat dem man cominig too now? and u know how dey like to boast they working on de port?good lord knows u had time got caught.

  20. Anonymous
    February 17, 2010

    yess..dart a move…but wat about the murderers dat taling ppls lives & yet they walking free…. they too need to pay….wat u say for dat

  21. lock them up
    February 17, 2010

    Yes papa… look drama. And people with children again wee. But what you expect.. lazy they lazy.. want to sit down by side road every day and wear big chains and rings. I have no sympathies.. he should stay longer in jail.. and jail the girl too… all of them in it…… they all know what is happening in the house….. Greedy people… and wifh guns too… what they doing with guns and all the bullets??? Judge you should have charge more or give more jail time.

    Lose these people in jail.. I have no pity for drug dealers (family or not). Lock them up……..take their kids from them.. what kind of example is that??? what you think their kids will become when they are exposed to such?? One of the children could have gone and played with the guns or tasted the cocaine!!!!!!!!!!!ohhhhhh LORD.

    All you want to have bike and smelling sweet while doing nothing. I work hard every day to have what I have … not to have you make people become paros to steal what I have. Get a job… get an education. Good for nothings!!!! LAZY… I always see all you… from early morning .. to late night on the side road… making your deals and pounding beff……Stop now… if you want a future

  22. john
    February 17, 2010

    We have to stamp out drugs from our country.. Good call Chief Magistrate…I hope his 5 children won’t take drugs!

  23. Mary
    February 17, 2010

    Tell them the true the gun and cocaine are not yours, but you good, you taking the rap for someone else.

  24. GREAT LEGALWORK SUPREMO BAPTISTE
    February 17, 2010

    I have to commend you on the tremendous contribution which you have made towards the development of the system of justice in Dominica and the region. As one of the leading a legal experts in International & Marine Law in our region ; you show how wide your knowledge in so many aspects of the law is. Experience, Intellect, Discipline,fairness, humility and soundness of character are key aspects of your highly respected personality.

    Clearly you have over the past many years on the bench served with great distinction and it was quite comforting when the CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE OECS applauded your tremendous efforts not only as the former Registrar General of the OECS but also in your very distinguished service on the bench as CHIEF MAGISTRATE. This ruling by you sends yet another strong message against the issue of drugs etc in our society. A review of your judgments over those many years are again indicative of your posture, calm, seriousness and determination at making our society as crime free as possible. As a fellow legal practitioner I am very much proud of all of your accomplishments. I am also extremely happy with the tremendous contributions which so many members of your family who are lawyers in the state make towards the system of justice in Dominica and beyond. They go about their work quietly as true professionals without fear or favor.

  25. Me
    February 17, 2010

    WOW!!
    See what drugs do to people: It makes them greedy. The more they have, the more they want. Come on, at some point you should realize you’ve made enough, and ease up. I honestly don’t know why someone should be in possession of that quantity at their home. Anyways, you should know the risks that go with being in that situation : suffer the consequences!!
    Thank heavens, some unsuspecting schoolboy/girl hadn’t been the victims.
    To all the other “big shot” dealers, I hope you all are learning a serious lesson here.
    Damn, I like that judge!!

  26. bkny
    February 17, 2010

    10 thousand grams of cocaine….hmmmm.. never put the s*** in your home. Make a safehouse… Someone set them on you…jah what is dominica coming to? It still boils down to creating good income jobs that people can be able to feed their family or else the whole of dominica will be engaged in drug trafficking. Plain and simple

  27. Toot Too bouche
    February 17, 2010

    Where is Behanzin when you need him.I have no mercy for drug dealers a all.I was in DA for independence celebration and what I saw broke my heart.,I am still reeling from the effects.I cannot understand how MY COUNTRY I’m very proud of has gone down this road,it is sad,so sad

  28. Jepter
    February 17, 2010

    Ms. Baptists, i am surprised that you fine so heavily. All along i thought that it was the young Magistrate from Portsmouth you know. Anyway, i am pleased with your judgement and sentencing.

  29. Observer
    February 17, 2010

    Well said judge. Lock them up. These wicked drug pushers.

  30. shuffel
    February 17, 2010

    the jail term is not enough he should be given a year for each pound and also for each round of ammunition and 5yrs for possision of the firearms

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