Police say they are seeking to apprehend more suspects in relations to a major drug bust which took place off the coast of Dominica last weekend.
Additionally the police say the prosecution will be seeking to seize the assests of those arrested in the operation.
Johnny Joseph, Kelvin Collins Paul Benedict Augustine and Camilo Adrien Pinzon Gomez of Columbia have been arrested and charged with importation, possession and possession with intent to supply 70,000 grams of cocaine.
They all pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday.
The men were arrested when a vessel, J7-145, was intercepted 10 nautical miles north of Portsmouth.
The drug has an estimated street value of EC$1.750 million dollars.
“The penalty is stiff if found guilty … this is a very serious offense and the investigations are ongoing as the police are seeking to apprehend others,” Police presecutor Inspector Claude Weekes told the court.
The men have also been slapped with charges from the customs department and Inspector Weekes served notice to the court that “the prosecution intends to confiscate the assets of the men if found guilty.”
He also revealed that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and other law enforcement agencies are interested in the men.
Weekes argued that bail should be denied since the prosecution needs more time to continue investigations.
After listening to Weekes’ submisstion, defense counsel Wayne Norde told the court that while he was not going to resist the request of the prosecution, he is hoping that within a week’s time they will be ready and he will be requesting bail for his clients.
Magistrate Candia Carrette-George sided with Weekes and bail was denied.
Trial in the matter has been set for 2013.
i love this men … camilo adrian pinzon gmez,,, he is a god men and just want a better future for your family, this is innocet and not is a criminal,, i am your wife and i fell proud of him ,,, this is very dramatic becouse he is a god men
You young boys in the don!t for get the navy ship is out side in the waters taking you guys picture from the little whit plane no noise not big stay away from the sea boys.
them fella need their jail big time kelvin did not learn fr his brother fall in july, jonny will never learn. benedict doug need to find work and stop depending on the papa in d states he make hate his family, imgration need to check dat papa to.candia george good job send them and clean the high way
hmm nobody know where d drugs was or who for it d police bring in them man . after they bring in drugs an saying that is all u own. stupss. them police drugs that.
SO what you think was the circumstances, that you have these three of these popular guys(street knowledge) and a Columbian doing on popular boat at night (darkness) how many miles off possie? FISHING ??? and the cocaine just happen to be floating in the water around their boat at the same time Coast gaurd came upon the fishing scene?? PPLLLZZZZ
d owner of d boat was already in fire for loaning one of d captain money ..street vibes ,,dat request about property comes from the us ,,haha 1 plus one is two,,
what about the owner of the boat he to should be hold to and every body know the owner of the boat J- Xray from possie side self
DNO, what and who are you protecting? What about my comment that is wrong that you not posting?
Since according to police the value of 70K of coke is $1.750 million, I simply called on the government of Dominica to investigate all those millionaires who cannot give an account for their wealth or assets meaning, if you not working and no one left u riches or if you have a job and your salary does not amount to your wealth,and yet you rich, the government should confiscate what they own. Is anything wrong with that? can you get in trouble with the law for this idea? In fact in other democratic countries this is a common practice by the government. I just can’t get you because you allowed people to say so much on Bendict Augustin who pled not guilty, and according to law, is innocent until proven guilty. fairness to ALL is an important part of democracy as long as you don’t cause personal damage to anyone. And that I sure did not do in my comment.
Doggy we know big papa santa is a police and he doh like the drug thing but he must bail you. We surprise he not in DA yet.
you mean villeneve? lol
I have been advocating this for very long time Thank You Claude.
THE ONLY THING BENEDICT HAVE IS THE WHITE EXERCISING BIKE, WHO WANT THAT? HAHAHAHAHA
i dont want that bike
Worry about what you have and don’t have doggy is in good hands
with upholders like you, what do you expect
The Police and them just exaggerating. How could 70kilos of coke has a value of $1.750 million dollars? If the value is accurate then the government need to investigate everybody who has assets or cash that’s worth over a million $ especially when those that do not have a job or those with a known salary but it does not add up.
When proper investigation is done the assets of ALL persons who cannot give account for their wealth or asset, should be confiscated regardless of their title.
BENADICT YOUR LONG ROPE COMING TO AN END, FIND WORK TO DO AND STOP DESTROYING YOUNG LIVES
Don’t worry about doggy worry about yourself.
These Criminals should be thrown in jail and throw away the keys.These are the king of people that destroy our young generations and our communities.in this day and age Police Officers should be mandated to carry a firearm on their waistband. Government need to enact Laws that would make that possible.Please do it for the sake of the future of our beloved country and generations.
papamet i know the first three omg i went to school with collins and augustine i know from the village doug boy what have u all gotten yourself in
Bail? What Bail ???,Them crook’s transporting Blood money. Jail is where they belong, let there children start calling another man daddy,In fact they done lose there woman already,also allowing there family to surfer !! Chupes !! They want good Christmas, GO CUT BAYLEAF !!
stupssssssss
We want this same effort for mano case, don’t forget mano case, law for one set man.
Once mano starts cooperating!
how much time de man hav to coorperate. it look like all u do is listen to skerrit and ur brain cana work for itself…. police and all say de man coorperatin , de records sayin he coorperatin but it will take nincompoops like u to say he do coorperatin, u mus be foolish.
Peeping Tom, I wonder what you would say if you were in Mano’s position or it was someone close to you or in your family. Some of you need to fair and just. The man does not deserve this sort of treatment, particularly not from his government boss! Your government is supposed to represent your interest and to operate within and protect and promote the law. Instead they seem to be picking and choosing which laws they will adhere to and which ones they will blatantly disregard. They are then using the ignorance of persons who do not seem to care what happens beyond the tip of their noses and flaunting those who promote the idea of accountability and transparency in government. If you go out every day and work hard in the hot sun and bring home a little something to the wife to help your kids to have a better life and you see her eating the best food and wearing the best clothes and shoes but yourself and the kids repeatedly go hungry or with very little food and have to walk the streets with torn clothes and no shoes, when your friends ask you why are you working so hard and allowing this to happen when you and the kids are suffering so much, what will you say to them? I LOVE HER GARCON?? SHE SWEET, SHE SEXY??? LEAVE ME ALONE??? Big man come on, when you work hard and pay your taxes and live in tough conditions, those who manage the economy on your behalf and in order to provide the public services for you the people……..THEY MUST ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE BOSS!!!!!!!!!! THEY MUST SAY HOW AND WHY THEY ARE SPENDING YOUR MONEY!!!!!!! IF THEY REFUSE TO ANSWER THE PEOPLE, THEY REFUSE TO FACE QUESTIONS AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT THEY SPEAK TO YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE LIKE ‘GO TO HELL’ AND TELL YOU THAT YOU CANNOT QUESTION THEM………BOSS, THEY MUST, MUST GO!!!!!!!!!1 BOSS, WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!
What happened to the evidence in mano’s case. Where is the car? who authorized its removal? Did the investigating officer knew about the removal of the car? Where is the wreck today? If Scotland Yard were to beengaged to investigate the crime, where is the biggest piece of evidence yet? Suspicion is not enough to charge anybody with a crime. Suspicion can lead to identifying a person of interest in any criminal matter. In this case everybody are suspects -including the victims aswe haev coem to know
To Observer………how convenient my brother for this issue to be raised TWO YEARS after the event when the police are OBVIOUSLY dragging their feet and have been all these years! How convenient when they are the ones with the responsibility to collect and secure evidence. Who should know better than the police what procedures should be followed in order to secure a case? Who are the police working for?? THE POLICE SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORKING IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST!!!!!!!! YES, IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST!!! That is why certain cases are taken up, particularly when there are questions as to whether or not they should be pursued, they are taken up purely IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST!!!!!
That is why Lennox keeps rightly stating that he is not pursuing anything as “Lennox Linton” but instead he is raising PUBLIC INTEREST ISSUES because they relate to persons in public office positions spending public money for which they refuse account or abusing their positions for personal gain.
The police, if they operate in the interest of the public, would have relentlessly pursued this case and properly collected and safeguarded the evidence AS IS REQUIRED OF THEM IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE! The gentleman, even if he had kept the car, THE KEY PIECE OF EVIDENCE AS IT RELATES TO THIS CRIME, in his garage for the full period of the investigation and until the case went to court, HE STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY THE OPPOSING ATTORNEYS if the there was an attempt to use this piece of ‘evidence’ as it would have been in a position in his garage where, over the period
awaiting trial, IT WAS OPEN TO CONTAMINATION. Therefore, the failure of the POLICE to secure that vehicle and to keep it secure until trial, has compromised the case of the victim, Mr. Emmanuel and on that basis, maybe he has grounds on which to sue the police and the government by extension! Be fair people!!!!!!!!!!!!
If they’re found guilty? What the h3(k they mean by that? We go to jail instantly for a fr3@king spliff and you guys talking about “IF?”
Same thing I there checking
wawee!another police seizure! great!
let me say however, i wonder whois going to help dem police “apprehend more suspects”? who going to speak? when the police force do the work on pure jealousy?
a man cannot have a ride dominica if he not dealing drugs….a man cannot own a house if he not a papa…a man cannot have a ride ..dem police want to watch you hard face! when know that they know their profits from the ppl they dont touch!
y’all know dem..workin in bank, working by lime, working every god damn where, but a man cannot be working for 10years of his life to own anything in dominica!pffff!
dem police will continue to speculate and not do their job and assume everyone guilty….but the sun sets on every man!
PPLZZZZ, you have something against law enforcement man??? Are you saying that there are no drug dealers? traffickers? pushers? users? That non of these dealers ever owned property that was gotten by means of dealing this in COCAINE? Every time there is a drug bust is the Police that wrong? That there should be NO punishment when people are caught dealing cocaine? come on man..geeezz. give the cops a damn break. its not an easy job, especially when people like you who always seem to know better, will not ever even think of assisting against this cancer in OUR society. Says a lot about on who’s side Y’all are leaning. There are great people involved in this had fight against the cocaine trade in DA. Not every one is selfish,hungry and greedy for this blood money. All for their own material gain at a cost that would destroy their own neighbor, and the country on a whole. Critic, be wise…
jail all them man
why should they go after them man and man steal the state money to build villas, apartments and mutimillion dollar house and they cannot take them to court for stealing the country money…
that is justice, sing i dominique sa say nous vlay, labooooour poweeeeeeer.
skerrit is our god
ummmmm i’m not a police officer or a news reporter here but i’m trying to figure this out.my question is where was this drug found? on the vessel they were travelling on? on their person? DNO can you help to find out cause it doesnt have all these relevant details. until then i will hold my 2cents comment.
Great observation!!!! That’s what we all should be asking, instead of making some ignorant, uninformed comments.
nobody know where d drugs was or who for it d police bring in them man . after they bring in drugs an saying that is all u own. stupss. them police drugs that.
no comment
“The police say 70 kilograms of cocaine were seized in the bust”.
Now it is 7 kilos that mean these guys are free already.
If both these statements came from the police these guys are as good as free.
70 kilograms of cocaine is a lot.It’s not for their personal use.It is to destroy the young men and women of our nation.Please review or remove your comment.Think again and think positive.
ummm, your comment cant be in response to what he/she said…right? cuz its completely irrelevant.
I heard 7 kilos, 70 Kilos, 70 grams,7 grams….I’m sooo confused right now… Not even speaking of the estimated street value..smh! Not even the police can get the facts right.
if you kill a man you get bail and even walk free,a little drugs you saying bail was denied so it is better to kill and walk free
well nothing in the country to offer no work
so much land emty in d/ca i dou c why these young trapid men dou work the land. doug is one of the most fortunate young man in v/case. his father left him all the land in v/case and coconut growing wild on the land. ask him why he not planting?
Check out how they deal with drug dealers in the island nation of Singapore. Depending on the severity of the drug crime they get sentenced to hang. That has drastically reduced such incidents on their island> Drug dealers are afraid to step foot on the island, we should be looking at jailing these guys for a minimum of 20 to 25 years. They are sentencing many of our youth to a death sentence once they get hooked on cocaine
If only the boat could talk
so is 7 o 70
From left: Johnny Joseph, Kelvin Collins Paul, Benedict Augustine, Camilo Gomez
Police have charged three Dominicans and one Colombian in connection with a major drug bust which took place off the coast of Dominica.
The police say 70 kilograms of cocaine were seized in the bust.
Charged with importation of cocaine, possession of cocaine and possession with the intent to supply cocaine are Johnny Joseph of Lagoon Portsmouth, Kelvin Collins Paul of Glanvillia, Benedict Augustine of Vieille Case and Camilo Adrien Pinzon Gomez of Colombia.
They are expected to appear in court on Thursday.
The illegal substance was seized by the Coast Guard on December 10, 2012.
dem boys there are big labourites… you should see them during the last election… all covered in RED… if this is the next level, NOUS PWI…
i am crying for deliverance… changing the names of mountains will not make a difference… let’s get to the root of the evil that pervades our society and nib the cause of evil at its bud… WHEN GREEDY MEN USE POWER TO EXPLOIT THE POPULACE TO GET RICH… THEIR FOLLOWERS AND SUPPORTERS WILL DO THE SAME… 
i am for deliverance for this country called DOMINICA
Guys please! I have two points to make. One, this is what happens when a country have very little to offer its inhabitants as a means to not just ‘survive’ but actually live and provide opportunity for their families. Two, these guys are the little fish. If the motive is to truly crack down on ‘dangerous drug dealers and those destroying the country’ why not arrest all those big shot dirty politicians and so-call business owners and investers who are the ones ordering the import and distribution of drugs. Stop being hypocrites! I’m sure all of you guys know some local folks in the community that all you playing friends with to enjoy the goodtime, that made and still making money by dealing drugs. Why not petition police to arrest them?
Amen! Amen! I couldnt have said it better! THAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
What business owners and politicians you know importing drugs? You just running mouth with no clue. These fellas here have to be made an example of, although the V’zuelan will get away with it…only people from the French islands with marijuana they make example of. smfh
Keeping it real,
Remember, a little fish will get big. The little fish also work for the big fish. So why not get rid of the little fish so they will not get bigger. Cocaine makes money but it destroys families. Do not only look at the money, also look at the destruct it can cause families.
I completely agree
«this is what happens when a country have very little to offer its inhabitants as a means to not just ‘survive’ but actually live and provide opportunity for their families.»
How do you explain then, that when we were even poorer in Dominica, the rate of drug abuse and drug-related crimes was lower?
How do you explain the fact the world’s largest appetite for illegal drugs comes from the USA and everyday there are thousands of drug-related crimes there (many going unsolved); in the USA, a country that you probably will not consider one with «very little to offer its inhabitants»?
Humpty Dumpty logic!
Are you assessing the country (USA) as a whole in your comparison? If so, that would wholly inappropriate. If you are going to analyse the correlation between crime and poverty (or lack of economic opportunity) you would have to do so on a much smaller scope – community level – if you intend to then compare to a situation in Dominica. The educational, social, and economic opportunities available to residents of one US city/district/State varies significantly, it has typically/ historically varied according to other demographics – particularly race. So the premise of your counter-argument may be a bit flawed if these realities are considered. It may be fair to argue that there are many factors that contribute to (increases) crime, and “conventional” wisdom has it that poverty/ poor economy is one of them.
So how you would you compare that to what is happening from Trinidad all the way up to San Juan/ Jamaica and the USA…is it that these countries have very little to offer its inhabitants as a means to not just ‘survive’ but actually live and provide opportunity for their families.
Because what is happening here in DA (which we as DA don’t support) is pale in comparison to what is happening on the other islands.
With all due respect to you, your first point is pathetic and is the reason why crime and drugs will continue to pose a menace to our societies. These are really lazy, ridiculous excuses to support these dirtbag activities. While you are complaining of job situation many foreigners are coming here, finding work and sending back monies to their families. The fact is many of us Dominicans are too damn lazy and looking for the easy way out, PERIOD!!!!!
Can’t say it better!
Your first point somewhat contradicts your second. If the state of the economy is what is driving the drug trade, then the people behind it would be poor disadvantaged people. People who are well-off would not be involved.
Secondly, if the motive was to make enough money to provide for oneself during lean time, once the drug dealer made his first large sale, he would get out of the business. This clearly is not the case.
Drug dealers get into the business for one reason and that is to make large amounts of money quickly without making the effort to do it in teh legam economy. They are plainly greedy people who don’t give a hoot about the lives they destroy to make their money.
Piper,
You are so right. A drug dealer thinks about money and nothing else. A drug dealer does not say “Now I make enough money, let me stop.” That’s why they get into that business is for…money, money, and more money. So if anyone thinks that a drug dealer is in the business to make some quick money and leave, they are naieve.
You may have a point,but who is willing to speak out against these said persons.they are the same person they caught in the act. Are they willing to speak out?Will they become an informant for the police? The Police need these kind of evidence.Without direct evidence you cannot convict the top brass Drug dealers.
you are very right .but if those kakarat trafickers dont say who they working for they will just have to face the kubu.
how again they not guilty nah
what happen the 7kg fall from the sky and staight in there boat man
eh beh they have maleh eh
for that christmas
STUPPESSSSSSS
Sweety they could be found not guilty if the search was illegal. You know how Dominica police dont like to follow procedures
are you retarded? the police/customs officer may search with or without warrant if they have they have sufficient proof that there is drugs on any vessel.
illegal search of a boat intercepted with four men and 70 k’s of coke in our waters? what, you think coast guard needed a search warrant?.., or they didn’t say ” stop!this is the police!!! ??? LOL
I just wish that these guys would be served some serious justice for being involved in that wicked cocaine trade in our one and only beautiful nature isle, helping to destroy D/cans. JAIL all of them
Hmmm, How about if it wasnt in there boat??
tell them get there story rite one moment is 70kg den its 7.found them off the coast of d.a then north of possie…wats the real story.got the drugs on the vessel then not on d vessel.wats really really d truth….
but they not guilty.
To me the previous news release said that these guys were found with 70kilos now its saying 7? Which is right?
There were two seperate incidents involving cocaine busts….One was in massacre where the guys was held with 7 Kilos (7000 grams) and the other which this article refers to where the 4 guys were busted with 70kilos (70 000 grams)… hope this clears it up for u..
joy to the world shut what ever amount it is
its not white sugar
70kg
not guilty: What a ting ehh.
Yeh let Johny go secklais zeb that lazy bastard.
This island is to small for all them drug sealers, jail them, this is what happen to a island/country when religion and politic joint together
Them religious pastors, priest clergies, need to focus on the drugs activities in DA destroying the future generation of the island
The island need prayer and deliverance
Religious leaders need to focus on drug activities? how they going to do that when they busy molesting little kids and sleeping with all the women in the church? Oh yeah, don’t forget pocketing all the money in the offering basket.
Keeping it real, I LOVE YOU!!!!
We’re on the same page with both your comments
What religous leader. To much politics in this island, Look at the Catholic church division like fire, the population going down everyday! Man this place just sick
what religious leader have to do with that? Give the Catholic church a break? All churches have their problems. The other religions are worst than us. Look I hear a pastor in Goodwill has a son sending him mad, the son even beating him. Mother is a nurse, father a pastor and they fraid to sleep in the house in Goodwill. But everyday he preaching God word, start with your house first pastor. Practice what u preach!!!!
Religious leader should focus on God and their flock, not drugs and worldy affairs.
As for politics… its a failure to start with.
Keep their behinds in jail this is ridiculous, it is time that the judicial system in Dominica send drugs dealers to jail for a long them, also seize whatever they possess,for sure the law will not be able to put hand on their their banks account, because they are smart
The authorities have to get down to the root,that is the big bosses until then, slapping them with a five thousand dollars fine will not stop them from dealing
seriously am not a christian yet but let me ask u dumb brain a question , religious leaders don’t eat???? before allu come on DNO and make DA look like is all illiterate ppl living here shut up and think ………these men fully know what they doing greed and laziness that have them so ……
it seems like i am the one who is guilty for not even being on the boat. you can bet your last cent that they will walk free. hummmmmm dominica, what have we come to.
15.4 pounds of cocaine, I believe in the near future
there will be an epidemic of young men/women crack/coke heads. Crime will increase rapidly, rampant prostitution, home invasions etc…We need a cleansing of the Island from the top of the food chain down to the criminals that working the streets for them….
y do u call urself Rasta?? i’m sure u smoke weed, but tryin to giv a good impression.. dont b a hypocrit?
Whas wrong with smoking weed. Don’t you know its being legalized almost every where.
Just last week Obama say he use to smoke too much weed in Hawai. Do your research. Third world countries need to wake up
Leave de rasta alone.
you believe in the future, well it there already.. man disapperaing in layou and tarish pit, coke involved, constant buglaries in the layou park area… people taking people for fifty dollars and cell phone.
IT THERE ALREADY
Hmmmm. Are you willing to let someone wipe them out…permanently?
If Dominica can agree to this on a whole, this can and will be done.
Once again, Politics is a fail….
I hope you start by drinking the weed tea instead of smoking it.
Rastalovepeace,
What is your idea of cleansing the country.
i agree with you.. especially those dominicans..they have children and i sure if you give their child cocaine they will want to kill you..
They all look miserable and pathetic. Do you expect to prosper when you are killing people’s children for you to have big houses and fancy cars. God is not sleeping.
glad u no that…stop d jealousy please
Then who had the drugs me ??????
….no DE BOAT….but unfortunately it cannot plead..so case squash!!!
lol
LOL