Correct me if I'm wrong; but doesn't British customs pay special attention to flights coming from Latin (Central America)? If so, chances are them fellas would be caught when they got home anyways--which begs the question: Was this for real or were they the decoy to hide an even bigger shipment...?

Rosa you are 100 % correct ..their are sniffer dogs in all the major airports and random searches and in the other airports that specialize in charter flights there is added attention for latin american arrivals ..have never seen luggage checked here in la Romana or the capital after it has been checked in except when it is going to the USA and it is scanned before check in ..

In Santiago the bags get scanned and you see the K-9 walking around the carts just before loading. They even open up your mama juana

So again, this may have been a decoy...

lol Rosa

xwill7,

For real, man. This is the same strategy traffickers on the U.S-Mexico border use: Sacrifice a 35kg load so that you can smuggle 1/2 ton of product during the chaos and confusion.

xwill7,
You are correct--however, if this was a decoy then they were not supposed to make it to Manchester. I would be interested in knowing if there was or will be any incident(s) at any of the destinations of that particular flight. There is a chance they may use the same technique at the other end (even if it is not the same flight).

FredCdobbs,
Like always you have pegged it again!
I agree, I think Cuba or Vennezuala, Siberia etc. is much
Better for these types!

Waste of time and man/dog power= Legalize

Great job by DR LEO! I've been known to carry 15-20 bags of Cafe Santo Domingo to the U.S. every trip I make...always in my carry on, always with the receipt from the mercado...always looked at and double checked...........and surprisingly, always professional on the DR end.

Looks like a goot episode for Locked Up Abroad.

Hey mates, in the unlikely event you get a chance to take a prison shower, don't drop the soap!

The British man carrying on the imperial burden, spreading civilization far and wide. LOLOL!

its a real shame people gloat so much over someones naive mistake. SHAME ON YOU ALL.

It would have been much easier to dilute their clothes in a vat with the coke. The dry the clothes and pack them...

Just like Miami

i am daniels farther and your comments are bad enough. i accept there is no justification in any form of drug smugling. but perhaps if it was your loved one you may not be gloating so much over someones mistake.

people dont know the situation danny we are thinking of you mate stay strong

Cellebabe1, Allenfoster,
I can only put my self in your shoes as a Parent myself or Friend regarding a love one being arrested in a Foreign Country for Drug Smuggling. a real concern raised would be the DANGER & SAFETY for your Son and His Friend being jailed overseas. "Naive Mistake" brings more questions then answers therefore should not to be questioned, answered or discussed on an International Forum.
I only hope and pray for their safe return and let it serve as a deterrent for others.
Take care.

If true that these fellows, Danny & Paul where caught smuggling, that is very serious. But I am certain it is nothing a few "coins" can't challenge in the justice system here. Depends on the evidence and the lawyers involved. But you are probably looking at 60-100K (USD equivalent) to make this case disappear and the two guys get to go home before Christmas 2009. Dominican jails are as bad a Turkish jails. Perhaps the boys should have watched "Midnight Express" before coming on Holiday to the DR. Careful about visits. Anyone seeing these two guys in prison from the outside, may also be rounded up as suspects in the case. That is how it works here. Let the British Embassy guide you. Good luck and wish you well in these difficult times.

cellebabe, allenfoster...
What we should feel sorry for your son??? This is good that he was caught now he has a chance to think about his mistakes and clean himself up. If he was never caught he could have kept on with this lifestyle and could have ended up dead in drug violence.

Juango,
These two are in a big hole. Not only will they have to try to "make the case disappear" but they still owe someone for the missing 30 packs. I don't think that anyone will want to hire ex drug dealers

.

xwill, we will never know the real story. just what the media prints ( or airs), and that may be flawed, as we have seen in the past. Therefore, I will not pass judgement as to the guilt or innocence, of these two fellows. That is for others to do.

If the story is true or not.... I can not even imagine the pain that one must pass when going through a Dominican court case. Slow and painfull

The question to be asked is - were these two young men ON HOLIDAY?? Do they have jobs back here in Britain?? If not how could they possible afford a holiday out in Dominica?? Or was it paid for by the real crooks. Just looking at the picture printed I don't think they have the brains they were born with, never mind trying to organize this sort of a heist. Everyone knows that airports both abroad and at home are vigilant when it comes to smuggling illegal drugs. I would bet that they had no choice but to do the big mans bidding or face other consequences here at home, which could have been worse than what they may face out there. This of course is only my thinking, surly two men who I presume are both over 21 should know that trafficking is not a job that will get you promotion, it will more than likely just lead you to a very lengthy jail sentence or at worse death. If any young person out there thinks anything of their family & friends GIVE IT UP NOW and get a life.

Totally agree with Dannys dad .Ive known danny for many years and found him to be a fantastic person. Im totally in shock. Ive never known Danny to take drugs never mind smuggle them.
My prayers are with both the boys and their families.

This is a complete shock to everyone who knows Danny. Been nothing but nice to me since I got to know him.

His mum will get plenty of support from the people around her.

Stay strong Danny because everyone here is thinking about you.

The question is : These dudes where born with brain ?

To the people putting Daniel and Paul down, just please think about their families, imagine it was your sons, or any relative for that matter, and have some respect.
If you imagine yourselves in this position, I guarantee you would have a different opinion!

There are real, decent people behind the photographs, that most of you do not know!

Don't point fingers until your own hands are clean!

Stay strong guys all my thoughts are with you x

Juango,
Your words speak the truth. Not all facts and circumstances are ever printed. Paul & Daniel our prayers are with you and your whole Family on a quick and safe return home. God Bless and keep you ALL
PLEASE KEEP US POSTED !
Take care.

Can't the USA intervene somehow here? I mean these folks should be extradited to the USA to serve time there. After that, they should be deported to their home country of Britain to serve time too. The first priority of course, is the USA, as always. Perhaps a U.S. indictment or State Department intervention request is forthcoming. Let's wait & see. Oh and, Mutly, were these guys in Dominica as well? If so, why? Did they bring it from to Dominica to the Dominican to change planes to carry through to the UK? ...Sounds like a complex trafficking network to me.

Folks please remember these two young men have had no charges brought against them. We cannot judge them on press releases and cannot be sure at this time their luggage had NOT been tampered with, prior to arriving at the airport from their abode..... Yes !! I know if they were directly involved, then this will have been a very stupid and serious lesson for us all to learn from. I know Daniel personally and was shocked the same as the rest of the Inverclyde community to learn of their attempts(if proven) to take controlled substances out of one country to another. Paul I do not know personally but can only imagine he comes from a decent family the same as Daniel. My thoughts are with both set of families / friends and most of all the BOY’S. I hope that this can be resolved quickly and amicably through the right channels in their courting systems.

I cannot even imagine what the boys and their parents are going through at this time,but GOOD LUCK!!

as daniels farther i would like to thank everyone who has left messages of goodwill for the boys, they are a source of imense support to our family at this difficult time. i would ask that you keep your postings on this site polite and dignified unlike the mindless idiots that have posted some comments. my family and im sure pauls will take strengh fom everyones comments both at home and from abroad.

Reply Angela,

Show some compassion for Christ sake! were talking about two young naive guy's here.

Reply Vivacuba,

Answer to your question NO the USA cannot intervene, if sentenced they must serve their time in DR I believe. Unless the UK have a different policy which I find highly unlikely. These prisons are reported to be the worst for overcrowding in the Western Hemisphere

I was on the same flight as them and the plane was delayed by a day so we were all sent to a hotel , My partner and I had a few drinks with Danny , his friend was not there. Danny said he was on holiday for a stag party and he was worried bout plane being delayed as he had to get back to his work at a garage. He seemed like a decent guy def not a drug trafficker, if it was found in his case I reckon it must have been tampered with.

Don't they check the bags infront of you before they check them in?

My thoughts only: You must get the British Embassy/Authorities (investigators: Scotland Yard) involved, if they are not already. If indeed, these two fellows were set-up as patsies(decoys), to lure the authorities attention away from a "BIG" load moving through the airport on the same day or timeframe, then everyone should be aware of the danger. This scenario would have a critical impact on this country's most important (legit) industry, Tourism. Anything is possible in the DR. We all know "Narco Traffic is the #1 Industry" (in terms of $$$$).

I don't know all the facts but.. With all the corruption, pay offs, lack of Law Enforcement etc.. etc..
From what I read they do not look like sophisticated run of the mill Drug smugglers too me.
I don't know all the facts, which only brings a series of questions, like.
Total amount of Drugs seized, weight never printed why ?
Why carry on baggage ?
Why use coffee packages not sugar ?
If so, why such a small amount ? [only 30 bags]
Maybe they were framed, tricked ?
2 Males boarding always draws attention to Airport Authorities.
Again I don't know all the facts in this case. Maybe it's me but something just doesn't seem right.
I myself have been approached many times at Auropuerto de Las Americas parking lot regarding helping some dude and His Mother or Aunt pass extra luggage as my own, which I rely HELL NO !
I always buy at least 10 - 16oz bags of cafe Santo Domingo upon my visit from the DR for Family & Friends. Word of advice.... TRAVELERS MUST BEWARE.

the thing i dont understnd though is why were they able to go on the flight whn it was originally due to go,because they were in the que ready to board on the sunday , bags were on plane because they had to collect thm again whn we were told plane wasnt going,would seem something happened in time of delay

In the Santiago airport they scan the bags in front of you even before you can stand in line to check in. If you have anything weird they open it up in front of you and search. I know they do this at the SD airport also, but how about Punta Cana?

Naive?!?! naive wwould be getting cought with a stupid tiny amount but three million pounds worth? come off it! naieve my bum!!! nothing naieve about it...what about the families of the folk they were gonna destroy with that muck?. no one can honestly believe they were set up with three million pounds worth of gear n didnt know.....not buying that for a minute. dont make this pair out to be innocent

as for shame on us....we'r not the ones smuggling this muck and helping detroy folks lives im afraid.....

for celts78 an anyone else

I am related to paul, and if we dont know how much drugs were in the cases how the hell would you! please do not listen to gossip. All the facts are yet to surface, but I can assure anyone of this, paul an danny are only kids and they are not your typical druggie let alone dealer or smuggler, they are stupid thats obvious but hardened criminals they are definately not. We may never know the full story here. All my family want is for them both to come home safe. although thankful these drugs didnt hit our streets, I am gutted they have been detained out there, and would much rather they were caught here in britian and given a fair trial. They are not criminals of any kind and I can tell you now they have been seriously shafted. I only hope our Paul and his friend danny come home.

Celts78,
Three Million pounds of Cocaine ??? what three Million pounds, more like 30 bags of the white stuff HIDDEN IN COFFEE BAGS.

Jacqui,
You more then anybody can probably shed some light as to their demeanor's prior to their arrest which can speak volumes.
Did they talk about the trip ?
Were they excited ?
Were they planning a future trip ?
One has to ask, why the flight delay ?
Weather ?
If the Drugs were planted on that flight delay, why pick these two ? easy Targets ?
I would then assume there's a net-work of sophisticated smugglers with big connections, so why only 30 bags ?
One has to ask how can 2 tourist make such big Drug contacts in the first place and in a Country they know little about ?
HUH ! flight originated from Dominica ?
Possible luggage search, x-ray and Drug sniffing dogs in Manchester ?
ALL FROM THE LAND THAT MONEY TALKS I could be wrong, but..... I SMELL A SET-UP.
Take care

No one here can really confirm anything right now. All we can do is offer our prayers and support to both boys and their families.

Danny boy my love and prayers go out to you. Stay safe mate.

inverclyde,
They are only kids??? lol one has a go-t and tatoos. If they would have gotten away with this, they would have been back for repeat trips for the fast money.

xwill7,

The way you're acting is inappropriate, these young men haven't even been charged or convicted of any crime, but you are acting as if they are already guilty.

Show a little respect towards the families of these gentlemen.

Fair enough... But some of the comments are funny. Just because someone is a "nice" person back home does not make them innocent. Sure they are probably "nice" people but that does not mean that they would never have tried to make that delivery. In tough economic times, even "nice" people do crazy things.

Here's a link to a British TV news channel -
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-....-smuggling-in-dominican-republic/

There is a picture shown during the report showing the two posing with 2 suitcases full of cocaine....

xwill7,

And just because somebody has been arrested for "drug trafficking" does not mean that are GUILTY.

Nice work on being hypocritical.

I rest my case.

I know both of these guys seperately, and the last thing I can imagine any of them doing is drug trafficking.

jreilly,

These pictures are not them "posing", this picture was taken by the DNCD. Do your homework before you make accusations. If this was them "posing" they would have been convicted by now.

Well, they are probably not going to get out of this one unless their daddy is rich.

Sorry they werent posing in that picture, paul has his head down an danny is not at all posing either. Yeah an kids they are, both are 21. Adults maybe to some, but to me paul is still just a young man who had his whole life infront of him, and danny also. So he has a goaty an a tatoo hardly the mark of a bloody adult gangster is it. and that picture was taken in a customs office.

With the other arrest today at Punta Cana... I am glad to see some progress in the fight againts drugs. We can not allow the beautiful Dominican island to become Mexico

Seanza, I really hope that this is proved to be some misunderstanding as the guys seem to lead good lives back home.

You have to admit tho, it isnt looking good for them.

At the end of the day people are entitled to their opinion so there is no point in arguing it out. We will soon see if they are innocent or not and when more info comes out it will help more people understand what is fact and what is fiction. My thoughts do go out to the boys (that does not mean i think they did or didn't do it) also their families must be a hard time for them all. Will post my opinion when i feel i have enough information to base it on.

To the families of the 2 men: if you truly believe these men are innocent, might I respectfully suggest that you contact the UK organisation Fair Trials International? They are highly experienced and indeed have helped in a case out here in the past. You can read about a case involving Jamaica here:
http://www.fairtrials.net/cases/spotlight/paulette_garricks/
It would be wise to contact them as soon as possible - after a trial might be too late.

The British Embassy here is good but under-resourced and has several such cases to assist with - you can google search fellow Scots Daniel Patterson and Kelly Carrigan. Thus a member of one of the families might consider travelling out here in order to be able to do all the work necessary to help the imprisoned, and also to make judgements about the accuracy of information gleaned from lawyers and/or translators.

If the 2 men are guilty or are found guilty, the penalty is likely to be 8 to 10 years imprisonment.

its amazing the ones who are banging their gums about the boys. it could be your sons. i agree drugs are an evil, but try and give the boys
and their families a break . no one knows the true story yet.

Hahaha, Brits bringing coffee to the UK, Brits drink Tea not coffee

aye it could be any of our sons but im afraid id still not call drug smuggling naieve!!! and even if we dont know the full story id be very very surprised if this was perfectly innocent!!!! they didnt smuggle a bottle of paracetamol incas eyou dont realise it was cocain, and if found guilty i hope they throw them book at them - im sorry if that upsets anyone but if its deserved the rightly so - least at this point its another stash of that muck off our streets

All the best Danny and keep you're head up big man, it's goin to be tough in there and I'd never handle it but you're different big man, keep you're head up and stay strong. We're all thinkin about you and we're all right behind you. Hope to see you soon. Keep the chin up big guy. You'll never walk alone.

For their sake I hope they are brought back to the UK. Unfortunately, the risks of this crime are huge and the chances of ending up in some of the worst jails in the world is a strong possibility. I just hope they were half geared up for not returning to the UK when they left from Manchetser and they are in the right frame of mind to try and tackle this. I don't know Paul but I know Danny and I'm confident he will be ok. HEAD UP DANNY BOY

everyones bringing the 2 boys down fair enough they have done something stupid but who hasn't we've al done something that we regret no matter how serious it is give them and there family a break its a hard time for them and there family so they need the support. danny m8 stick in there n am sure at the end of it there will be a pint w8in in red lol

Mistakes are always made, it doesnt mean theres evil behind it.
I know these two men well and what they did we cannot hide it.
Have you never been wrong yourself , or is everyone else always so right
You cannot judge these boys my thoughts are with them every night.
This world is full of hate, its so corrupt the truth may be a lie.
Danny and Paul if you see this keep you heads held towards the sky.

My thoughts are with both families! x

The boys are doing ok , its now been a while since this happened. Daniel and Pauls family would like to thank all the genuinne mates, who left messages of support for them. time will tell what becomes of all this. thanks to the genuinne mates, you know who you are. regards Daniels dad.

Chellebabe1,
Sir,
I hope and pray for the best, what's the latest ?
Are they still incarcerated together ?
How does the future outcome look ?
Has the British Embassy been of any help ?
Have you talked to the Boys lately ?
When is their Court date ?,
Has one been set ?
Please keep us posted on how much prison time given, if any.
Remember keep your spirits high for You and all your families involved and your faith and Trust in GOD.
Take care.

Did the family take my advice and contact Fair Trials International? Just a yes or no will suffice. Thank you.

hi to all the people who still take an interest in the lads. they are doing ok. we are some months ahead now from when this all started. they are both ok and are doing fine. there is a light at the end of the tunnel for them. god willing they will be home soon. regards andy.

Thanks for the update, Andy.

Take care.

Thanks for another update, Andy. Was thinking about the lads today. The festive period must've been especially difficult for the family.

Are the guys still being held in custody awaiting trial? How are they being treated?

Hope they are allowed home soon, no matter how likely/unlikely that may be.

hello to all the kind people that still take an interest in how the lads are doing. at the time of posting this message some of you will or will not know sadly the boys recieved a 10 year sentance each,. danny has learnt fluant dominican spanish in his time incarsirated over there which helps him well the boys are strong and doing well..