Two men, who were arrested and charged for human trafficking and unlawful killing of a Haitian national, were denied bail when they appeared in a Portsmouth court on Thursday.
Roosevelt Lawrence and Andy Daniel of Cottage were remanded in custody.
They were taken into custody following an incident at sea in the wee hours of January 20, in which a boat with Haitian and Dominican nationals on board capsized.
Four Haitians together with Lawrence and Daniel were eventually rescued.
However the body of a Haitian woman, identified as Marie-Claude Fleurient, was found floating in the water at about 3:00 pm the same day.
The two Dominicans were handed over to the police who eventually laid the charges against them.
They are represented by attorney at law Tiyani Behanzin.
How is it that Tiyani who was once a magistrate, working to uphold the law will now be defending these people who stands accused? Anyone see the double standards?
All you put him outside, he is a fully qualified lawyer and a dame good one. I am sure you too would die to have him defend you if you are charged with an offence. Dominican are just hepocrits, all of us played politics when the man was not renewed despite his hard work, the government made sure he would not work for more than a year, further forced him to go to Trinidad at great expense, now all you want to talk. ‘aa, did you demonstrate when he was removed? Hypocrite!!!!!
Dominicans act Like they better than haïtians but they worst. They do thé same things.
If they are not Dominicans, they should be investigated prior to granting them landed status.
After all, what affects one in a country, affects all and where taxpayers are concerned. If it is something serious enough that affects the country in general, you can rest assured, in time and soon enough something will be done about it. There are voices in numbers.
The human smuggler should never be granted bail. After the case is called and he is charged a substantial sum of money or imprisoned, deportation should be his lot.
As all of us are aware of, human smuggling is a big money business. They may be recruiting people and encouraging them to live their homeland because there is money in it for the smugglers.
The DA government should issue a mandate to those who are considering smuggling people to and from Dominica. He should not keep quiet. He should also go international or through the Caribbean and let it be known by Radio, TV and the newspapers.
The Canadian PM made no bones about human smuggling to Canada. However, when such news are broadcasted through the Media you can imagine the amount of emails, letters and phone calls which the PM received, many through the MP’s and MPP’s in those ridings who represent constituents.
We know how to complain loudly here and to the right people.
@Mercy. Your talk doesn’t add up to your name.
“Tolerating them”? That’s what the English used to say about West indians who migrated to England in the 50s to 70s. That attitude was not nice then, it cannot be nice now.
It must be particularly hurtful to the Hatians that this attitude is coming from us who were kindred. After all, we are of the same brave tribes who paid the ultimate price (that included being divided up) for defying the powerful religion that was spreading by the sword in sub-Saharn Africa at that time.
Do you think we could learn from our past and now embrace, bolster and stand with each other through our growing pains instead of decrying, distancing and dividing ourselves further?
Divided we fall!
@ Agatha
Regardless of what you are saying, outside Dominicans, Haitians treat Dominican’s like dirt
Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion
,
Many of us who resided in Guadeloupe in the 70s, 80s and even the 90s knows exactly what this person is saying, who knows maybe the individual had some bad experiences with Haitians. I can say that, because my parents/ my mother went through years of bad experience with Haitians in her work place
In Dominique they have no other choice but to pretend to our people, I know for a fact that they despite Dominicans and Dominica, as some of them saying up here, it is all because of the Creole they are in Dominica
Yes divided we fall united we stand, this is not only for Dominican, it is also for the Haitians, they never had in their minds that one day they would be flocking to Dominica, so to them what goes around comes around
Behanzin will have the upper hand on this one, I sat in Court in Portsmouth and saw Behanzin and the other Attorney Ronald Charges handle the police!! as Behanzin told the Court, this is a tragedy all round for all parties the accused and the families!
Dominicans who speak in such disparaging ways about the Hatians sound so sicko because there must be more Dominicans overseas seeking a better life than there are people left in Dominica. We have been leaving since ater the last world war, and in massive numbers since the 1950’s. The banana boats were making more money taking people to England that taking bananas.
Some who are saying those hateful things are themselves overseas or have been overseas seeking better jobs, eduction even love etc.
For various reasons different countries may be in better positions to nurture people’s aspirations, so we move around the earth in search of our fit whether for the long or short term. Sensible peole know this and would never put upon or otherwise take advantage of another simply because he was born elsewhere.
shot up
SHAME ON YOU
Unlawfull killing?,i dont think so.That lady who died may her soul rest in peace,Knew the risk’s and she choose to take it. The charge should only be for human traficking…
First of all, I am saddened at the demise of the lady. My heartfelt sympathy to her family.
The DA government should investigate why she died. I wonder if the truth will be told.
Human smuggling is profitable for those who traffic in it. Governments have a problem with those traffickers. If caught, they should be immediately turned back. If they were able to land in the country, the captain of the boat/ship be charged and imprisoned for some years and according to the number of people they smuggled. Some will still try but this should deter many of them from human smuggling.
I am not saying this to belittle Haitians, since they are humans just like us. But we better believe that they do not come to our country to settle; rather as a transit point to get to places like Guadeloupe and beyond. These people are definitely on the run from something, cause they really don’t care whether the waters are raging or rough…they still cross. So who is really endangering their lives, themselves or the persons who simply use the opportunity to make a “illegal” buck or two. I’m so sorry to hear that you had to end up in this situation Andy…Jah knows that this is just the devil at work. My best advice to the boat owners out there, please leave them Haitians on shore; don’t transport them. The ferry is still in operation, toneh!
The only reason Haitians come to Dominica is for back door exit. I am not convinced that Dominica is better off than Haiti if we do is just by one ply of toilet paper.in fact we are just following Haiti’s path – corrupt leaders( likely to run to France in exile) and poverty .
You must think beyond. There are reasons why people would want to migrate to another country. There are also benefits to be derived in that country. These Haitians may have relatives and friends in Dominica and would like to join them. They do receive feedback from them about Dominica.
You must consider that Dominica is less populated than Haiti. The situation in Dominica is relatively calm and peaceful with lesser crimes than Haiti. If those Haitians who migrated to Dominica can make a living, they will relay this to those who they keep in touch with. Personally, I would rather reside in Dominica than in Haiti. This is not because I am a Dominica but for the conditions in Dominica versus Haiti.
Stop criticizing people for typo’s. Try to get the sense of what they are trying to say. It is not the common people owning these boats and doing all these illegal trafficking. Dominica is small, and someone or some people know dam well who owns these boats bringing these illegals in.
Dominicans, especially the young people don’t want to work. So the Haitians are seizing any opportunity. They will use any means to come here, and most of them have the same last names like Dominicans. They could also speak French creole so they blend right in. The Government should be more strict with these people coming to Dominica.
Charity begins at home, if the Government cannot take care of those of us in Dominica, we really cannot take any more poor people coming in. If they are coming with money and business, we appreciate that. But if they poor and have nothing, they are going to suck the little that we have. We are good and loving people, but we have to be able to help ourselves before we could help others. They have to make sure they are not bringing and contagious disease’s.
YES because people like you more bent on always trying to correct someone. If you want to teach go in a d….. classroom.
Excuse me -that’s rich coming from you.
A killing can be lawful as when acting in self defence. You killed the person but did so lawfully protecting yourself etc.
Both parties are at fault not only the boat operator
The Haitians know exactly what danger and risk factors lies ahead, going back-down on those little boats
I am feeling bad for the woman and her family, but also we have to note that she endangered her life, what make us think that those rescued will not attempt taking the risk again, for sure they will, not by those two guys, but they will approach other boat owners to transport them,
If some of the Haitians men in Dominica had their own boats they would be the ones smuggling them, so they have no choice but to put their lives at risk and ask the Dominican boat owners to transport them back door to the neighbouring French island
As I aid the blame is on all parties, the boat owner and the women, someone said that the women should be charged, i agree they should be charged, if they have Dominican nationality revoke it and deport them back to Haiti, since Dominica is not their choice, the came to Dominica to blend in the French islands because of the Creole language
I visited my family in Canada from the USA and my relative told me that being a Canadian citizen right now in Canada is not a safe heaven with papers, what they are saying is that citizen or not, commit a crime and you will be deported back to your country of birth, so why is it that the government of Dominica keeping Haitians and other rationalities committing crimes in Dominica, the Haitians women need to be deported back to Haiti or wherever they came from, if they have Dominican born children do they same as they do in Canada send them back and when the children reaches the age of eighteen as Dominican by birth they can return if they choose to
i sit here and read some of you guys foolish comment. FIRST OF ALL: it is sad the lady died
but if you cannot swin,backdoor not for you.save your money and go front door for future people who plan to take sure risks. 
)…not for pya-pya people…SORRY! BLESSINGS TO ALL.
SECONDLY: Admin of DNO even if those were the terms used by your source “unlawful killing” does not sound so appropriate for alot of the uneducated people who comment/read whats posted on this site.
THIRDLY: some comments speak about ; and i quote: “Justice for the victims please!!! Make them pay dearly for their illegal activities” end quote
??? SERIOUSLY! GIVE ME A BREAK! the victims should be deported because they-THE VICTIMS are the ones paying our (poor/deparately seeking money/job) people large sums of money to transport/traffic them to the neighbouring islands.SO PART OF THE BLAME IS ON THE VITCIMS PART.back door is for divers,fishermen,sailors,armey soldiers and the REAL HUSTLERS (NOT THE WANNA BEES THAT GROWING UP THERE,THE TV TYPE.LOL
Sometimes these charges really sound odd. “Unlawful killing”???? It begs the question – is “lawful killing” a crime too?
Killing is a CRIME period.
Or rather, should there be anything as lawful killing? Killing itself is a crime no matter how you put it. It’s wrong…well unless if it’s an animal fr food or a bug.
you typed that from rite under my fingers
That’s the first thing that came to my mind. Is there such a thing as lawful killing?
Excellent question. I do think it means that killing without provocation and in defense of oneself. Read between the lines.
well by definition it would not be a crime because it is lawful.
During the last two years, “over 15,000 Haitians have migrated to Latin America with 6,000 arriving in Brasil, 2,000 to both Ecuador and Chile respectively and over 1,000 to Mexico,” he adds. “Many Haitians now prefer to go to countries in South America like Brazil and Ecuador instead of risking their lives by sea travel to the perilous US coastline off Miami,” says Louidor. “The cost for both trips is similar, between $3,500 and $5,000 USD, and by going south they swap the heavily patrolled US waters for the porous southern borders”
t by the JRS, Louidor details evidence of ties between smugglers entering airports in Maiquetia and Valencia and corrupt Venezuelan police and migration officials.
“Trafficking networks including members of the Venezuelan government give false visas and passports to Haitians arriving from the (Haitian) cities of Gonaives, Casale and Cabaret,” says Louidor
As we can see people in high authority are involved in trafficking/smuggling Haitians all over the place, based on what I read, Dominicans are the only ones tolerating Haitians
I fully agree with your comment; however, if in fact the female passenger was killed by Dominicans they should be punished. It is inhumane.
I wonder what part did the Haitian passengers play in the crime. I also wonder, if a boat with Haitian and Dominican nationals on board capsized, which included four Haitians and two Dominicans, how certain are the officials on whom actually did the killing. If the boat did capsize how do they know the woman did not drown. Unless they can prove otherwise, I think FIVE against TWO is a hard one to swallow.
Again, if the Dominicans are responsible for that crime they MUST be PUNISHED.
While I sympathize with those people, we must understand that we should not try to solve a nation’s porverty problems who’s porpulation is 9mils plus bigar than ours.It is like an ant trying to save a druning eliphant. If Haitians have to be part of our devellopment we must have a plan to utilize their services where best needed.In agreculture of-cos. a program similar to that of the canadian farm program must be urgently implemented. This Haitian thing is out of control.
Dont kid yourself its big business in Dominica.
What do you mean that Dominicans are the only ones tolerating the Haitians. Antiguans are tolerating Dominicans. Guadeloupe is tolerating Dominicans, even little Montserrat tolerating Dominicans, I not even going further to the USVI and US. SO stop it.
shupes shut up man Haitians is trouble you bringing Dominicans in this story? am Antiguan and i say leave Dominica people alone we love them ……and why didn’t they charge the Haitians for unlawful exit the know its against the law just like the boat driver and they still went ain’t it ……the law in Dominica is bias ….but i find people have balls to jump in boat with Haitians too these people are so bad lucked
My dear blogger to every Haitian that perish at the hands of Dominican traffickers there are 3 Haitians that the politicians in government insure citizenship so that the Politicians can secure votes. This is not a coincidence but a deliberate and coordinated strategy. In addition cabals are making money with passport facilitation. So while politicians are along care of themselves drug traffickers and human traffickers are getting bolder and bolder. Guess what? Those traffickers are the ones very visible during the red election campaign.
y do you make it sound like they are a disease to be tolerated or not tolerated
they tolerate them for the same reason the other northern countries tolerate the Dominicans
why do you make the Haitians sound like a disease to be tolerated or not tolerate
The U.S. and Canadian governments will not tolerate human smuggling. Some are sent back. The captains are arrested.
During the course of traveling, some boats sink and many people died. Yet, they still keep coming, especially to Florida. Consider they will go where the weather is specifically warm.
Your last sentence, it is not so. Canada and the U.S. got a lot of Haitians after the earthquake. If they are law-abiding, they are welcomed to stay. If they are not, then they are deported.
Generally, Haitians are ambitious people. They attend colleges and universities. As also Dominicans, they are not all one and the same.
Base on what you read, Haitian are human beings and DOMINICANS are all over in other people country including your family members I am sure.
Don’t forget what our own Dominicans are doing in other persons country. When we open our mouths to accuse other nationals, we have to remember what ours are doing. They are all human beings speaking differnt languages doing the same things.
ALL WRONG IS WRONG. IS NOT WHO DO IT.
NOT ONLY HAITIANS EVERYONE LEAVES THEY COUNTRY TO BETTER DEMSELVES..RIP TO MARIE
I feel you Redzman. Dominicans stowaway to other parts of the world too, even if it is not as often or as plentiful as the Haitians.
but not back door ….
condolence to the family of the dead woman. Thank God the others were rescued on time. One I think they all should be charged. The haitians for leaving the island without proper departure documents, the owner of the boat, who received the cas from the haitians and ofcourse those who were taking them. If the boat did not capside, we would not have know about such. The haitians are guilty as the Dominicans. They all should be charged. Now i would like to know how the dominican charged for man slaughter? It should be a case of suicide, because the woman chose to risk her life to go back door. And anyone who chose those ways to enter other peoples country, that is exactly what they are doing to their selves. i would charge the owner of the boat for manslaughter, because without the cash and the haitians the other dominicans would not take them back door. thats just my opinion. The owner is guilty, guilty. se epane sotiwe epane vole.
Condolences indeed to the family of the deceased woman, and thank God the others were rescued. I FULLY AGREE, they ALL should be charged, and there should be MULTIPLE CHARGES. Leaving the Island without proper departure documents is not necessarily a charge but a reason for DEPORTATION. The Haitians should be in custody for the death of the woman. I think they are PARTICIPANTS. The owner of the boat should definitely be charged for SMUGGLING. True, if the boat did not capsize we would not have known about the woman. True, the Haitians are just as guilty as the Dominicans.
What does suicide mean, in your opinion? I do not believe the woman, Marie, took her own life; therefore, this is NOT SUICIDE. Going back door and dying in the process DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SUICIDE. She took a risk, but she DID NOT commit SUICIDE.
Everyone should be charged including the boat’s owner and the Haitians unless it is proven that there is another cause of death.
We all have an opinion, let us exercise it.
To bad she had to loose her life that way. We must educate our people on the dangers of human trafficking. Now they might have to go jail, and from my community again.
they well know what it detail my dear
Spicegirl, by now they should be aware of the danger yet they still take chances. Some of them also leave Cuba by boat. Some lose their lives. At certain times they are caught and turned back. How I wish that all countries were democratic and that people were not so oppressed in those countries. One day God will put a hand. In the interim, people must suffer and die. I suppose this is life.
Governments and others who do not accord nationals their due right, respect, dignity and peace and for their livelihood, to live in harmony with others, will pay a dear price before Our Almighty Father through His Blessed Son Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Precious Blood. Some of them who predeceased us have already met their eternal fate. It is always better to do good to others than bad; far better.
which brakes that. man this justice system is so bad that these guy will be given bail sooner or later for them to return to the same trade. shame on my country. just be patient and we go see.
That is called GREED.
This is just a tip of the ice burg people have been fooling the hatian taking the the nearby island band leaveing the at sea. And getting huge sum of money from them , they the hatian are afraid to report to the. Police. , heard from hatian speaking
The Haitians have knowledge of the consequences. I think they should be a little more careful of whom they TRUST and how they go about doing business. It is a shame though that they have to go through such lengths to escape their way of life on their Island. They are humans and should be treated as such. I do not think Dominica is a way out for them, but they seem to think so. When the come to America, those who survive the trip are sent back as opposed to the Cubans.
Question, why is no one complaining about the people that take the same risk from Santo Domingo? Sounds like double standards. The women from Santo Domingo are worse than the Haitians. The Haitians seek employment for survival, those from Santo Domingo came in and turn our Island into a FREE PORT, PROSTITUTING.
The Government of Dominica should be CONCERNED about the HEALTH of its people.
Tip of the ‘iceberg’.
You call it survival,we dominicans been doing this from slavery, looking for better life I don’t see any harm in that.so many times I got deported from guadelope, didn’t stop me untile I got my break through to london, jah bless for that many are called but few are choosen, so that’s the way of life any port for a stome.bless
Natty we all understand that but what is reprehensible is that we allow these poor people in, taking their cash money, knowing very well that most will try to leave Dominica illegally for another, even bigger cash payment. That is not called “helping” people, that is pure exploitation and playing with the lives of people we call oru brothers for pure profit. This is no better than slave trade.
It is infact like slave trade, the servival of the fittest. These poor people are just trying to find a way to better theirselves and their family’s, like most of us who took a chance and migrated from Dominica in search of a better life elsewhere. Some went through the right channel while many,many went through the wrong channel. So Dominicans chill,I am not saying that what went down with this story is right, but stop pretending like we are angels, or so better that the Hatians.
LOL
Maybe God is telling you to stay put,I know Dominica is not an easy fun place to live but neither is London. Try and make a life for youself you don’t want to land up like Marie -Claude.
Why is Dominica not an easy, fun place to live? What do you mean by “Try and make a life for yourself, you don’t want to land up like Marie -Claude?”
He told you he got a break, I would assume he went to London legally. I think life could be hard in any part of the universe. We have to make the best of what we have wherever we decide to live our lives.
Maybe I should of said the grass is not always greener on the other side. I feel so sorry for Marie -Claude and I would not like anyone else to land up in a similar situation. We should remember her and all the other people who have died while trying to make a better life for themselves and there families.
I hope you are making the most of life ambitiously and legally in London, England (I suppose). Canada has a London, Ontario.
hey admin, what is ‘ the unlawful killing’…? You meant unintentional?
I expect DNO is quoting the charges that were laid and not making them up off the top of their head. Google nuh!
One thing I know, those wickedness there will stop.and a warning to those haitians,stop runing! And the more they run into problem is the more they are running, but God will deal with the guilty.
what about the Haitian guy caught smuggling Haitians into Guadeloupe two years ago, this guy was travelling with our passport, God forbid if he was not caught by the French Police and something bad would have happened while in Guadeloupe all of you would be blaming it on Dominican smugglers, because all he had to do is drop the Dominica passport and run
He is somewhere facing his jail time, my question is that, after completing his prison time, will the Dominican government allowing him to re-enter Dominica?, or if the Dominica authority will charged him upon if and when he re-enter Dominica, what good for the goose is good for the gander
Why on earth are you concerned or even speculating what the man might or might not do once he leaves jail.He is still in jail where he should be,the nationality of the smuggler is immaterial -they are scum and should be left in jail to rot.
How long he resided in Dominica? If he got an authentic passport as a legitimate citizen, then, this is questionable. It will be left up to the Dominican government to decide what to do with him. If he is not an authentic Dominican citizen, he should be deported to Haiti. I hope the Guadeloupe government informs the Dominican government prior to his release from their prison.
Dominicans travel to guadeloupe for 15 days without visa. If those Hatians have Dominican passport, why pass back door something is missing and I think its a part of the puzzle. …. Four weeks ago I traveled to Guadeloupe and a Spanish woman had a Dominican passport she gave the police a paper and she show 500 euros pocket change he stamp her passport it was ok. ….So if there is a law for one it should be for the others.
If they were doing human traficing thats totally wrong someone should be responsible for the lady’s death. My deepest condolences to the family. the DPP should take serious action on the matter.
…every one who boarded that vessel on that occassion and any other, is partly responsible for what ever may or may not happen. Its a gamble where life is involved, and there is NO insurance.
But remember the key word is “PARTLY”.
So sorry for this tragic outcome. Hope this sends a message to all involved to end this trade.
It is gratifying to see such expedious closure to this case. However, the police and the office of the DPP should explore the avenue of instituting charges on the Haitian who were rescued and any other nationals due to the fact that they were aware that they were not leaving our Island from a designated port of entry.
Agree with you, in the USA and some other countries the Haitians would be charge and then deported back to Haiti, they are part of the smuggling, since the people operating the boat did not come to them, they are the once all over Dominica looking for ways and means to go elsewhere, as soon of them saying Dominica is not fast enough for them and the island have little to offer
The Dominica law should not show no pity on them
The people who own the boats are fully aware of what they are doing -its not if they were offering them a sightseeing trip. This is a business the make money off people who are struggling to make a better life for themselves.Yes they are guilty of trying to enter Dominica illegally. But they are not the ones being charged with unlawful killing -the Dominicans are. So I hope that dealt with -I have no pity for them only disgust.
they should be deported back to haiti
i can see that dominica law is crap,but for once can the law make an example of the quilty?these human trafficers are giving dominica a bad name.
hey,innocent until proven guilty
Justice for the victims please!!! Make them pay dearly for their illegal activities
the victims were part of the illegal activities remember that
This is what some Dominicans fail to understand, they are 50% at fault, the boat operators did not put a gun to their heads and force them in their boats
They know fully well that they are /will be entering where ever they were heading to illegal, Sadly it did not turn out as they expected, but they are to be blamed as well, who knows what activities they are involve in and what they were going to do in Guadeloupe, so the Haitians have to accept that they were part of the illegal activities
They need to charge the Haitians as well not only the boat people, in the USA they would be locked up awaiting their court day, only in Dominica, give them more foot and sooner or later we all will find out
That will not stop the Haitians see what happening to them in the waters attempting to enter the USA, when caught they give them water and food and send their behind back to Haiti, yet they are not learning they are all over the place doing it again and again, why feel sorry for people when they care less about their own lives
Waw! There seems to be a new sheriff in town. Great Job!
Kudos to the police .My condolence to the family of Marie -Claude Fleurient
sad story.
At least somebody is being charged for this travesty. Good to hear.
ummmmm travesty? should be tradgedy!
Careful with them new words !!
That last comment is unnecessary -this article is about human trafficking.
pardon the spelling … tragedy !
it is indeed tragic when one tries correcting another and in the process makes as simple an error ;)
Good to see you care -pay no attention to citizen k petty comment.
The authorities are not charging the wrong people they are simply not charging all involved. Everyone on board the boat and the owner of the boat should be charged.