After five of its staff members were among 11 persons jailed in the Dominican Republic in early April when 200 bags of suspected cocaine were confiscated onboard an aeroplane, a Canadian airline has issued a travel warning.
Pivot Airlines said Global News that its crew members had been released on bail but were compelled to remain in the country after being detained at the beginning of the month.
According to the country’s National Directorate for Cocaine Control, the alleged drug bust occurred on April 6 at Punta Cana International Airport.
Five Pivot Airlines crew members detected and reported contraband in the plane’s maintenance compartment, according to the airline. They were then held, according to the airline.
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Pivot Airlines issued a statement warning of threats to its crew members’ safety and urging anyone travelling to the country to make other preparations.
“The continued prosecution of our staff in the Dominican Republic, as well as credible threats to their life,” a spokeswoman stated, “raise severe concerns for all people travelling to the country, especially those considering vacationing in the Dominican Republic.” “We believe that this occurrence should prompt all travellers to reconsider their travel arrangements.”
Threats were made to the flight’s personnel “both inside and outside of jail,” according to the company.
“While we were able to secure their release on bail lately, one of the conditions of their release was that they must remain in the Dominican Republic until the matter is concluded,” the representative explained.
The National Directorate for Drug Control claimed in a news release on April 6 that nine Canadians, one Indian, and one Dominican Republic resident were “being questioned to ascertain their likely involvement.”
“The incident involved Pivot Airlines in the Dominican Republic,” Global Affairs Canada informed Global News.
A spokeswoman added, “Consular staff are constantly following the situation, liaising with local authorities, and offering consular support.”
