On April 5, Pivot Airlines crew was thrown into jail after drugs were found in multiple bags. Carl Falsnes knows that some crew members work for a different airline. He is close friends with Aatif Safdar, a pilot from Hamilton, Ont. Pivot is a Toronto-based private charter airline. “I check our chat team and our flow every day, I wonder what happens to these guys. Atif has a small child, he has a young wife,” Falcney told CBC News. The crew is out with a guarantee. They posted a video last week explaining their side of the story and asked Prime Minister Justin Trinto to help them return home. Captain Robert Di Venanzo said two months ago the crew found suspected smuggling on his plane bound for Canada. They reported it to the authorities of the RCMP and the Dominican Republic. “The Dominicans threw us in jail,” said Di Venazzo.
“We were threatened with death,” said the pilot
“We have been threatened with death by drug criminals, we have been blackmailed by prisoners and we have lived in inhuman and degrading conditions. In prison a corpse was placed outside our cell and we were told we would be next. We live a nightmare. “ Di Venanzo said they could return to jail immediately. “Mr. Prime Minister, we need your help. We did our job of reporting these drugs and we saved Canadian lives. Now we need you to do yours,” he said. CLOCKS The NS pilot fears for friends being held in the Dominican Republic
The NS pilot fears for friends being held in the Dominican Republic
In April, a Pivot Airlines crew was thrown into jail after millions of dollars worth of cocaine were found on their plane. The crew are friends and colleagues of Antigonish, NS, pilot Carl Falsnes. Falsnes said the case needed more attention in Canada. Falsnes said he tried to send messages to the crew but did not receive them. He said he was not even sure they had their phones. “I mean, it’s unbelievable that a crew member who finds a problem can end up in a situation where your life is threatened at a point where you’re not even sure you can make it,” Falsnes said. Falsnes said the situation was not receiving enough attention. He is worried that his friends will not be vindicated in the Dominican Republic. Falsnes wants the federal government to intervene.
The federal government knows
During his visit to the US Summit in Los Angeles last week, Prime Minister Trinto met with Dominican President Luis Abider. On his official website, the prime minister says he “raised the issue of the Canadian Air Force crew in the Dominican Republic and received assurances that the authorities would address the issue in accordance with the rule of law.” Global Affairs Canada said it was also aware of the crew’s condition. Cocaine bricks were found on the plane. (National Directorate of Drug Control) “Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely, cooperate with local authorities and provide consular assistance. For the sake of confidentiality, no further information could be disclosed,” said Charlotte MacLeod, a spokeswoman for Global Affairs Canada. Meanwhile, Falnsnes is worried about his friend. The last time they spoke was four days before the flight. He said he was excited to fly more. During the pandemic, Falsnes said Safdar made money driving for Uber. “I feel for these people. It’s so sad. You go to work, you do your job and you end up in jail,” he said.
