Dominican drug offender pleads for mercy in Antigua

CourtfineA Dominican who pleaded guilty to drug offences in Antigua was fined $10,000 or two years behind bars when he appeared in court earlier this week.

Shun Lee John-Charles was charged for possession and importation of cannabis to which he entered a guilty plea although he told the court he knew nothing about the drug.

He also pleaded to the magistrate for mercy.

“I am sorry, please show me some mercy,” he said with tears streaming down his face. “I don’t  want to lose my job. I just want to go home. I don’t have anybody here.”

According to court reports, John-Charles arrived in Antigua from Jamaica last week aboard a Caribbean Airlines flight and was scheduled to move on to Dominica later.

His luggage was searched while he was going through Customs and cannabis seeds weighing 1.3 lbs were found sewn into the waists of five pairs of jeans.

In court, John-Charles denied knowing anything about the drug.

“Is somebody in Jamaica give me the things in the bag for somebody in Dominica,” he said. “I was told that a man will collect it at the airport. They tell me if I don’t deliver it, my family will be killed.”

He told the court the entire matter was a set up.

“The clothes in the bag are not my size.” he said. “They are bigger than me. Somebody set me up.”

He was ordered to pay the full amount forthwith or he would be sent to prison.

The estimated street value of the drug was $4,750.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.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.

50 Comments

  1. country
    August 19, 2013

    He did not learn his lesson, an American deportee from new Jersey ,oh boy oh boy. say no to drugs

  2. August 17, 2013

    With ALL of the media and everything that is happening, how can anyone believe “NOT ME”. Well it could be “YOU”. Why take these chances? Your lives, dignity, and most of all your FUTURE is not worth saying “NO”?

  3. Justice and Truth
    August 17, 2013

    @ jokes :twisted: :mrgreen:

    Have respect for others. Some of you use this Website to write a lot of nonsense and attack others. Who is looking for what? You do not know me.
    When you especially do not know people, refrain from making such comments. In fact, if I were the moderator at DNO I would have disallowed your indiscreet one-line comment (putting it mildly) which also lacks consideration for others.
    Can you not write an educating and inspiring comment that others could enjoy reading and learn from or due to your lack of intelligence are you incapable of doing so? This is why, I reiterate, have respect for those to comment on this Website. Learn from them and to act and write courteously. :twisted: :mrgreen: :twisted:

  4. papa met
    August 17, 2013

    Ignorance of the law is no excuse cause if you are carrying something which put your life and your family at stake,it may not be yours but you know definitely knows about it

  5. papa met
    August 17, 2013

    Some laim excuses.your family will be killed if you don’t deliver but what exposing the entire plan.come who us the stupid one

  6. Justice and Truth
    August 17, 2013

    Let this be a lesson for those who traffic and sell illegal drugs also when traveling. I have previously stated, these days the police authorities are on the look out for those who transport them via air or boat from one country to another. This goes to show that all countries, even though those plants are grown there, do not legalize the transporting of such for sale, to make the leaders of all rich.
    If one sells products, they must pay their fair share of income tax to the government. Those who deal with those drugs do not do so. They are the ones who benefit from it. If the government were to legalize it, how could it be controlled? Never!
    Those who plan to travel on business and vacation, when they also arrive at their destination, they must ensure that their luggage is locked at all times so that no one sneaks in illegal substance without their knowledge. Prior to closing and locking their luggage to catch a flight or boat, they must search through their luggage that no illegal substance was placed where their eyes cannot see.
    Should this occur, how could they convince the authorities that they knew nothing about it and that it does not belong to them? I would view them as being in serious trouble with the Law. May God help us that this never happens to us for you never know. Better to be careful, safe than sorry. Your good reputation is an asset to you. Do not spoil it forever.

  7. Jep
    August 16, 2013

    He he he, mummy bring me my bor bor! He he he

  8. jokes
    August 16, 2013

    Dominicans are so ignorant… in recent publications on CNN and FOX News, there have been studies which show that all the negative propaganda abt weed is untrue and infact it was a ploy by certain ppl in the federal gov;t decades to prevent the cultivation of the crop as its usefulness was crippling other industries like paper, tobacco and even pharmaceuticals. People like Dr. Sanjay Gupta who is a world reknown neurologist along with other qualified DOCTORS have revised their position on marijuana and support its use. Alot of you who are throwing stones n calling names n crying down the herb have probably never even ever tried it whether its smoking or drinking or eating…i guess yall are from the 70’s era of the Dread Act and simply live in fear mostly of the unknown. . Now stop bawling abt destroying ppl children. Understand that your children will do what they want. If you raise them up right they will never interfare with it. Either way, understand that what is not a sin in the eyes of GOD is deemed as a crime. today is yours tomorrow is mine..so stop the negative stone throwing n STFU!

    • Justice and Truth
      August 17, 2013

      Your comments pertaining to raising them up right and they will never interfere with it is not totally correct. Some children are properly nurtured and somewhere along the line they change for the worse. Some of them are good children up to a certain point. How often do we hear that? Bad company corrupts. The best advice is to stay away from it. Say no to illegal drugs!

    • Anonymous
      August 17, 2013

      The people that hate that post are just misinformed, one sided judgmental ignorant, always think they know best, don’t like to be corrected when wrong, hateful soul, that call their themselves educated, but are far from it.

  9. Nkrumah Kwame
    August 16, 2013

    Here in T&T, we have two popular sayings: (1)”when you get a donkey to ride, ride it good boy, ride it good”; and (2)”he playing smart with chupidness”.
    This bloke sure falls into BOTH categories.LAUGH :lol: :lol: :lol:

  10. Hehehehehe
    August 16, 2013

    Reginald Austrie that make that explanation for mister too man??? Reggie on a roll this week there wii hehehehehe

  11. Francisco Telemaque
    August 16, 2013

    John-Charles is a liar, he went to Jamaica, specifically to get the drug, and smuggle it into the country (Dominica).

    The man is contradicting himself; if he said he know nothing about the drug, why did he plea guilty; and then concluded that they told him if he did not deliver the drug his family would be killed?

    And if he was blackmailed into getting involved in something illegal as that; known the names of the people who coerce him into committing a crime.

    All he had to do was go to the police, he could have spoken to law enforcement in Jamaica, as well as in Dominica, and the culprits would be arrested for the threats they made against his family.

    First of all what was the purpose of his visit to Jamaica, assuming he simply went there on vacation, unless he got mixed up with some criminal element, I think it would be impossible for someone, an unknown to walk up to him and say ” I want you to take this drugs concealed in the waist band of jeans, to Mr. Dog in Dominica, and if you do not corporate we will kill your family.”

    He was not set up as he claimed, that is simply his excuse upon getting caught, so now his penalty for trying to make a little over four thousand dollars, has cost him ten ($10,000.00) thousand dollars, and probably jail.

    Crying he does not want to loose his job and does not have anybody in Antigua at this point is irrelevant, he should have thought of his job before thinking of smuggling drugs. If you are an international criminal, you have to be prepared to serve jail time in any country you are caught.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • August 17, 2013

      Totally agreed. He did not think he would have gotten caught. Hey, they police is Jamaica and elsewhere are drug dealers themselves, but I would not have attempted to transport drugs to any one, threatened or not. I wonder what size jeans he wears. Almost everyone wheres larger sizes anyway. Can you imagine having to pay $10,000 for $4,000 of drugs that you do not have. Culprits.

  12. Observer
    August 16, 2013

    KKK…..go do your homework. Not Newtown he from

    • August 17, 2013

      Where is he from, do you know?

  13. TW
    August 16, 2013

    You see I could believe him if he said someone gave him clothes to bring down for someone and he didn’t know but from the time mr say about his family would be killed HE KNEW exactly what he was doing and was likely compensated for it as well.

  14. grell
    August 16, 2013

    for seeds please they were made by god,legalize the weed.

  15. Dominican
    August 16, 2013

    I do not have an ounce of sympathy for this person. He is pleading for his life and job he should have thought about it before he carried out the task
    Furthermore he should think about people children these drugs destroy had he gotten away with it he would have had a sum of money in his pocket. The DAM Jackass.
    Serve your prison sentence

    • cool
      August 17, 2013

      marijuana is a drug that is used every single day, and is not people like him that destroying children’s lives, no matter how you train and teach your children in what you believe to be the right way, we all make mistakes , we all do things that we will regret, children, everybody has a mind of their own and if they decide is marijuana they want to deal with then that is their decision, you cant change the fact that this is a problem in Dominica, even if someone is not using but they are selling and trust me no body is innocent, 1 out of 10 in every group of young people or more are using or selling this drug and its not the drug users and dealers who influence them they do not hold them at gun point and force them to interfere with the drug, someones child could be using or selling this grug and the parent knows nothing about it so dont be pointing fingers at anyone, legalise the drug, marijuana, does less harm, than alcohol, one can smoke the drug and drive but one can not drink alchohol and drive. people die everyday of alchohol use faster than of marijauna so I REALLY DO NOT SEE YOUR POIN….

  16. J.J.John-Charles
    August 16, 2013

    Justice and Truth I am glad you introduced your faith although this is not the topic at hand.
    Please DNO with your permission let me help my friend.
    I love your pen-name, especially the last one “TRUTH”.It was this singer from Antigua, King Obstinate in one of his songs entitled “It’s the Truth” who said.
    “The truth does not offend truthful men.”
    It is not my intention to attack your catholic faith and devotions.Because I was also a catholic,the only thing it was not my choice,my mother placed me there.But thank God, in 1971 the Lord opened my eyes and I was gloriously saved.So JT if I say something that contradicts your catholic faith,don’t find with me, just go back to the word of God, the BIBLE,the final authority and see if what I say is according to the scripture, and if it is correct smote your chest and say like the catholics friends “true (or throuh) my fault,true my fault grievous fault.”(lol) You will also notice I always give the book, chapter and verse I am quoting from.
    Right now God is calling you,He wants to save you and gives you the assurance of life eternal so that when you die no one will write on DNO MAY HIS/HER SOUL RIP, but will right I know his/her soul is resting in peace.Will you come to Him through Jesus Christ and be saved.?

    Let me remind you that I also love you EVEN MORE THAN CATHOLICS LOVE MARY.

    • Justice and Truth
      August 17, 2013

      J.J. John Charles, with a surname as yours, I knew all along and previously mentioned that you were a Catholic Christian and you renounced your faith.
      You are correct. “God placed you there” in the Church He established. He also wants you there, to worship in it, to build it up, defend and support it until Judgment Day. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Divine Head of His Church. It is the path that leads to Heaven.
      St. Paul said, “Remain where God has placed you.”
      You were born of parents without your knowledge. Would you disown them now that you are older?
      John-Charles I will state wait when you die and the truth will be revealed to you. May it not be too late to know and comprehend the truth in its fullest as God ordained.
      Speaking on a US Catholic Radio program pertaining to the thousands of different religions and churches there are in the world, enough to confuse people, the host of the program said: “Either the Holy Spirit is confused or we are confused.” It pertains to, the numerous religions which sprouted up years after the Catholic Church was established by Our Lord Jesus Christ.
      I was happy to hear that and made note of it. I learn much from listening to Catholic information that I could also inform others about. It has enhanced my Catholic knowledge and spiritual growth and progress.
      We know that God is never confused. We also pray to him to help us not be confused and that we not sway from the truth He established.
      Thanks be to God, I am quite capable of reading Holy Scriptures and comprehending it. God inspires.
      We Catholics have devotions where we primarily meditate on Our Lord’s Life, Passion, Death, Crucifixion and Resurrection. He wants us to do so “In memory of Him”, to remember what He did for us that we might merit Heaven and thus obtain eternal salvation.
      St. Paul said, “God’s KIngdom is not made up of words but of power.” He also wrote about devotions. It is in the Bible!
      If we attend Holy Mass daily, be it only on a Sunday, we hear the Readings of Holy Scripture and also the Gospel. The priest preaches on them.
      I do not have to renounce my Catholic Church to be saved for Our Lord established His Church and He and He alone saves.
      It is amazing how much there is in specifically the New Testament which pertains to the Catholic Church and its devotions. As I learned more, it surprised me too.
      Although some people proclaim that they know the Bible, they appear to have bypassed those important passages. It may be that they are hidden from them, that God is not revealing it to them or that their eyes are veiled due to their pride, disobedience and rebelliousness, thinking they know more than the Catholic Church which was established long before their church. God is not blind, deaf or sleeping. Much more could be stated about that.
      God’s peace be to you! I may know you and vice versa, hope to meet you someday. Who knows how soon? Only God knows! :)

  17. fredey
    August 15, 2013

    That man was gona grown some real jamaican high grade weed here stuff that is rare to bad sucker!!!

  18. first lady
    August 15, 2013

    Please put a pic up so we can see who it is dno expose them so the public can now who them people making our dominica passport ashame and fellow country people

    • jokes
      August 16, 2013

      you will have your day of reckoning and exposure also

  19. first lady
    August 15, 2013

    I hope this time u learn y lesson after what u done before u sorry u got caught u deserve to be in jail for a longer time just destroying people children. What kind of weed seeds u going all the way to ja to find that make dominica society more parro than it is now.

  20. Justice and Truth
    August 15, 2013

    Some people continue to take chances. These days passengers’ luggage including themselves are closely scrutinized and searched. It is foolish of them to take such chances.
    I am wondering if he is telling the truth that he was not aware what was in the pants. They are promised an exorbitant sum of money for transporting the drugs. If they are fortunate not to be caught, they will make a profit. The money is too good to pass up.
    The magistrate should ask him for the name of the Dominican who would be receiving the clothes which contained the drugs.
    He is saying that he was not aware of the drugs. Then he says he was told if he refused to take the clothing to D/ca, they will kill him. He is somehow contradicting himself. If he does not know about the drugs, why would they kill him if he refused to take them? If he was not aware of the drugs, this should have been a red flag for him. He should have been suspicious.
    He was weak of spirit. I feel sorry for him that he found himself in that situation, be it through his own free will or through ignorance. It is a lesson for him and that in future he never finds himself in such a position.
    May our God of love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness who looks down on us with pity, we imperfect and pitiful mortals assist him, be it to console him throughout his ordeal.
    Those of us who think we are standing secure … (1 Corinthians 10:13), we must always keep in mind and say, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

    • August 17, 2013

      He knew about the drugs. His excuse is POOR. Sorry for him because he was caught in Antigua. He should have been caught in Jamaica itself. Two wrongs do not make a right, he started by saying he did not know about the drugs, he should have stuck to his story – that was more believable.

      When you go to Rome you DO NOT DO LIKE THE ROMANS because you are NOT A ROMAN.

      • Justice and Truth
        August 19, 2013

        I am surprised that he was not caught in Jamaica. The authorities should look into it. They should communicate with the Jamaican government about this incident and how the young man could have passed through the Jamaican security on his way to the airplane and he was not detected and caught. Surely Jamaica should have a proper security?
        The thought is occurring to me, I wonder if they were not in on it and hoping that the man would not get caught. This is how some people are able to transport drugs from one country to another due to their contacts by air and sea.

  21. Truth
    August 15, 2013

    Marijuana should not be illegal. Its a herb, not manufactured, it comes from the soil. Using marijuana should be a choice. That’s my opinion.

    • jokes
      August 16, 2013

      Amen

    • Justice and Truth
      August 17, 2013

      I do think the Lord could better answer that and truthfully; not you. Pray to him for this enlightenment.
      Do you need to be told how many people died from it; how many lost their minds, went crazy/mad; how many family and homes were (are) destroyed and how many lose their jobs and possessions because of ingesting it?
      You surely do not think of the result of it if and when marijuana would be legalized. Do you think those countries that legalized it are better than other countries which do not?
      All immoral legislations are not beneficial to society and those who use and practice them. Think of other immoralities that can damage society and the lives of others.

    • August 17, 2013

      Agreed, but the results of marijuana use in a problem. I think if people were to use marijuana and behave themselves one could understand, but they steal and kill to maintain the habit. Not to mention, when high, they RAPE. Yes they do because those that grow it will kill if people steals it and those who do not grow it will steal people’s hard work earnings to buy it. On all counts the drug is contagious and that is a BIG PROBLEM.

      Want marijuana legalized, use it differently. Give the use different meaning.

  22. Neg Mawon
    August 15, 2013

    That’s laughable…i wonder where he lives? !!!!

  23. LOL
    August 15, 2013

    That is the best mitigation plea I have ever heard in my entire life. My boy you need to teach the rest drug offenders in Dominica that. The jeans are not mine, boy look jokes. High grade from JA we boy. Well I guess you in Antigua jail all now seeing you have no one to pay that type of money for you.

  24. August 15, 2013

    Hello Mr Charles you were bring the seeds to plant in Dominica because it was a High grade of Marihuana. Now if you can’t Pay the fine then you should do your time because we have no sympathy for people like you who keep poisoning our citizen. I can’t feel your pain and please tell our Narcotics Officers in Dominica who you were bringing the seeds to. To be quite honest you probably plan of having the best grade of marihuana in Dominica but your plans got side tracked.

    • Dominican.
      August 16, 2013

      Do you know how much poison that is in the food you eat every day, in cubes butter, sazon, chicken and so on why are these not considered illegal why is a naturally grown plant part of God’s creation considered illegal, man do your home work.

    • jokes
      August 16, 2013

      are u serious? really? tell the police who u were bringing it for?

    • August 17, 2013

      I think he is safe in Antigua because he is not in Jamaica nor Dominica, he can tell who gave it to him and who he was taking it to. Right now none of them can touch him unless someone in Antigua knows both parties.

  25. NY BASE
    August 15, 2013

    I guess he don’t listen to the announcement in the airports. Don’t accept anything from people you don’t know.

  26. J.J.John-Charles
    August 15, 2013

    I am not happy this guy carries my last name.I also hope he learned a lesson

    • Justice and Truth
      August 15, 2013

      J.J. John-Charles. I do not know where you reside, if you are in D/ca or not. I have previously stated, there are some John Charles who are closely related to me. The next time you attack my Catholic faith and devotions of which I will always continue to practice and not allow anyone to sway me from it, think of this: “You might be related to me including other members of my family.” Furthermore, Christians should not attack or speak evil against other Christians’ beliefs and practice. It is not an act of love and respect, primarily for Our Lord Jesus Christ who has taught us, “Love one another.” It is a grievous/mortal sin to disobey the Commandments of Our Almighty Father and His Blessed Son Our Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings.
      The world is small. We may see someday and you will know who I am and vice versa. If we are not related, there are many John Charles in D/ca whom I know and vice versa. Some are residing broad. It is said, “Two mountains never meet but two people will (may) meet.” We know not when and where but it could occur. Life and circumstances have a way of surprising us even when we least expect it. This is why we should be kind to others.
      Pertaining to your surname and that of this man who has the identical surname with you, many people bear the same surname as others. They may or may not be related. They may or may not also know each other. If he is not especially related to you, you should not bother about it. Even then, nothing can be done about it. It is too bad he found himself in that situation.
      God’s love and peace!

      • budman
        August 16, 2013

        blah blah blah!

      • jokes
        August 16, 2013

        family you lookin for man ?

  27. KKK LOOK BOWDEL
    August 15, 2013

    I WOULD count each tear drop and multiply it by 100 AND use the whip on him allu yutes reading learn learn learn learn newtown boyz learn learn learn alllu stop going skoool and playing serious ball drugs alone alllu pushing and running woman……..

  28. KKK LOOK BOWDEL
    August 15, 2013

    liar fool stupid anything for a dollar newtown he from

  29. Ti Buoy
    August 15, 2013

    I love those tears. Crocodile eh? if you can not do the time then don’t do the crime. Regard yourself as being lucky with just a fine. These seeds would be planted and harvested in DA, And would contribute in a very negative way to our society. BY the way, I wonder how many of these donkeys that have completed their journeys successfully? Now spread the word to your friends “CRIME DOES NOT PAY”.

    • BMB
      August 17, 2013

      Crime DOES pay…! It pays a “..fine of $10,000 or two years behind bars” :wink:

  30. Anonymous
    August 15, 2013

    Weh weh weh…hm

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