Air cargo Carrier: Wrong place Wrong time?

[blackbird]

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Two U.S. commercial pilots flying cargo in the Caribbean were arrested in the Dominican Republic after cocaine allegedly was found on their plane.

Kevin Kuranz, 31, of Sheboygan, Wis., and Christopher Schmidt, 28, a native of the Memphis area who now lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, were arrested last week, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reported. They work for Air Cargo Carriers LLC, headquartered in Milwaukee.

Family members say the pilots landed Thursday in Santo Domingo for what they thought would be a short layover while the plane was unloaded and returned from lunch to find Dominican and U.S. drug agents taking it apart. The agents said they found 300 pounds of cocaine in the fuselage, but relatives say Kuranz and Schmidt were not aware of any drugs.

Dominican officials say 18 police and security officers have also been charged.

Joe Kuranz, the pilot's father, told The Sheboygan Press there were 145 bricks of cocaine hidden in the ceiling and floor of the cargo space.

 

[belchfire]

Oh damn...it's a legitimate concern. No way you're going to find it on a preflight. Hope the company pays off the burgermeister so that they can get home for Christmas!

 

[Chubaka]

............

 

[PUNISHER]

Here is the original article. Scroll down to the bottom for updates and links to other sources.

http://usefulnfo.com/2010/12/06/u-s...n-republic-with-a-plane-full-of-drugs-photos/

 

[FCNelson]

Any updates on the unlucky pair?

 

[PUNISHER]

From the website: http://usefulnfo.com/2010/12/06/u-s...n-republic-with-a-plane-full-of-drugs-photos/

December 7th

Here is a brief update of events as I know them now. One of the parents filled me in on what happened yesterday (Dec 6, 2010). Below are excerpts from her email… If you have any free time or resources please spread the word. Thanks.
* Currently there is no sitting Ambassador from the US in the Dominican Republic. Someone has been appointed and should be starting work there shortly.
*The father of one of the detained pilots met yesterday with the Acting Ambassador, as well as the #2 and #3 officials at the American Embassy there.
*There was a meeting yesterday with the Embassy officials, the lawyers assigned to the case (hired by the Cargo Company the pilots flew for) and the senior DA from the Dominican Republic. The father reported the DA started out the meeting in a very forceful, stern manner, but by the end of the meeting, he was visibly nervous due to the pressure the US Embassy and the lawyers were placing on him. He became very aware that we were getting many high ranking officials in the US involved in this.
*** We still need to keep pushing. Without pressure, this process of getting these 2 innocent boys can take a very long time.*** If anyone reading this can put pressure on any of your representatives on their behalf, we would be eternally grateful.
*If anyone knows anyone who is in the US DEA, especially anyone who is a high ranking DEA official, please contact them. The US DEA has tremendous power in the Dominican Republic. If we can somehow get through to the head of our DEA to let them know these boys are not guilty, that even the Dominican authorities have admitted thy know they had nothing to do with this, it will be a tremendous help and will provide the kind of pressure we need.
*Christopher and Kevin Kuranz (the Captain of the flight) are curently being held in a jail called “The Palacio de Justicia.” They may be transferred soon to a prison outside of the city of Santo Domingo. Currently they appear to be safe, but I do not know if that will hold true in a Dominican prison.
* There is to be some sort of meeting/ hearing tomorrow (hopefully) initiated by the head DA, the Embassy and the lawyers. They are trying to accomplish one of 3 things:
1. Admit they are innocent of these charges and dismiss them.
2. If that isn’t accepted, allow us to post a bond or bail to ensure they will return to the Dominican Republic whenever summoned during the investigation of the Dominican Officials involved.
3. If that doesn’t work, allow the 2 pilots to be placed on house arrest in Santo Domingo while the investigation is taking place.
* We are told we must be patient. In the Dominican Republic they are working under French Law.
*The family’s presence there is huge. The authorities now know they are dealing with a boy from a family who cares about him.
* If you have the time, continue to call your elected officials and ask them to put pressure on the DEA, the Dominican Republic, etc. Tell them the Embassy is heavily involved, and they would not be involved at all if they didn’t believe these 2 boys were completely innocent. Without pressure, this will be dragged out for a long time.
​

 

[PUNISHER]

From: http://usefulnfo.com/2010/12/06/u-s...n-republic-with-a-plane-full-of-drugs-photos/



December 8th



Today there was a meeting with the following results:
The Embassy and Consulate Representatives, Air Cargo Carriers( the company Chris works for) Representatives, and Christopher’s father, Ken Schmidt met with the Senior District Attorney of the Province of Santo Domingo today at noon. We requested that the 2 air crew members be released with the guarantee of return to the Dominican Republic any time the Dominican Republic wanted them for questioning regarding their case. The request was denied with senor Perfecto Costa, the DA, stating that he is “unable to change a court order” and that” it would take a court hearing to amend the ruling.” He was asked if he could request such a hearing for this afternoon. That request was also denied. The only assistance that the DA would offer is to speed up the scheduling of an appeal hearing.
We are hoping to get that court hearing early next week. In the meantime, we want to increase political pressure and media coverage as much as possible. We still believe DEA pressure form the US is the key to getting them released.
The next two days are critical. We met tonight with the owner of Air Cargo Carriers (who arrived yesterday) and learned that representatives of the company are meeting with key people in Washington tomorrow and Friday.
Please keep contacting your elected officials in Congress to make them aware of the situation so they will take action.
​

 

[PUNISHER]

December 16th Update

http://www.sheboyganpress.com/artic...ains-jailed-after-delay-in-Dominican-Republic

 

[sky-sign]

Punisher, Have you try to contact news media like Fox, cnn, etc...
If you can make it public and the news media take on it, An economic back slash against the Dominican Republic ( Scarring tourist that you can be jail, and nothing can be done....do not go there you have no right etc...) will be probably more powerful than any Politician. Bill o'reilly & Fox news are very good at that kind of exercise ( Right or wrong, I let you decide ).

 

[dicko]

Punisher, Have you try to contact news media like Fox, cnn, etc...
If you can make it public and the news media take on it, An economic back slash against the Dominican Republic ( Scarring tourist that you can be jail, and nothing can be done....do not go there you have no right etc...) will be probably more powerful than any Politician. Bill o'reilly & Fox news are very good at that kind of exercise ( Right or wrong, I let you decide ).

"Back slash" and "scarring tourists" ....... ? Things are definitely getting nasty