Coral Springs man released from Haitian prison

Navin Narine released from Haitian prison

Author: Janine Stanwood, General Assignment Reporter,

Published On: Aug 17 2012 05:31:56 PM EDT Updated On: Aug 19 2012 04:10:26 PM EDT

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. -
One year and nine days after being held prisoner in Haiti, away from his family in Coral Springs, Navin Narine has been released and returned home, according to his attorney Friday.

Narine arrived at Miami International Airport just after 9 p.m. Wearing a teal tank top and beaming when he saw his family, Narine was near speechless.

"Nights upon nights you don't sleep because here am I sleeping in a bed; where is my son sleeping?" said Narine's mother, Gloria.

Narine said he did not think he would be coming home. He said conditions inside Haiti's National Penitentiary were dismal; no air conditioning, little food, and cramped quarters. He shared a 20-foot by 20-foot cell with 70 other men.

"No, that place is insane," Narine said.

His nightmare began when he embarked on what he thought would be an overnight business trip, working as a consultant for a Fort Lauderdale telecom, to help it set up a call center in Haiti.

Several hours after his plane landed in Port-Au-Prince, he was handcuffed.

Narine, then 36, was among five people accused of setting up a pirate phone system so long-distance callers could avoid hefty taxes levied by the Caribbean's telecom giant called Digicel.

The practice, called bypassing, is not illegal in Haiti.

Digicel, however, is represented by high-ranking Haitian officials who would have profited from those taxes, according to Narine's lawyer.

Narine was eventually charged with conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering. Attorney Ronald Augustin, who represents Narine, said those charges were bogus and politically motivated.

The conspiracy and money laundering charges were dropped in December. Narine's wife said he appealed the fraud charge, and an appeals court judge eventually found that there was not enough evidence to convict him.

Narine was released from prison on Tuesday, she said. He said he was grateful for his family but angry at his situation, and disappointed the U.S. Embassy could not do more.

"Of course. I lost a whole year of my life," he said.

Click here to watch video: http://www.local10.com/news/Coral-Springs-man-released-from-Haitian-prison/-/1717324/16174196/-/unh8boz/-/index.html


What do you think of this?
Why was he impriosoned for so long?
Why didn't the State Department do more to help releasey him or at lease alleviate his prison conditions?

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

Fanm Kreyol - 28 August 2012 09:27 PM

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

Devant,

Please don't make it a racial issue..Digicel have a lot of connections and used their influence to squash anyone that threatens their financial gain. As for as the border issue it is the same Haitian political and businessmen who are allowing this because they also are getting $$$. When will Haitians stop using racial reasons to come to conclusions of why things are the way they are. Haitians don't know how to run business and only think of their interest at all cost.

Fanm Kreyol - 28 August 2012 09:27 PM

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

This article is misleading. This bust was after they started the tax on international calls and cracked down on bypassers who would not fall under the new tax. This was a way for the govt to get more money. Digicel does not benefit from taxes.

No doubt this was Lamothe's idea. This is what he was doing in Africa.

Benz - 29 August 2012 08:56 AM

Fanm Kreyol - 28 August 2012 09:27 PM

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

This article is misleading. This bust was after they started the tax on international calls and cracked down on bypassers who would not fall under the new tax. This was a way for the govt to get more money. Digicel does not benefit from taxes.

No doubt this was Lamothe's idea. This is what he was doing in Africa.

Benz,

Again nice try.

I followed the coverage when it was happening. During all the conferences the tel. com. guys were front and center.

As they should be.....as all businesses should do.....I'm not against business cracking down on those who tamper with their profits.

The Haitian police, during a conference, was so proud of the hard work they had done.....but I assume the newly secret intelligence unit was also active.

I was pointing out a couple of guys who did not advertise their whereabouts......were monitored, arrested, charged...and spend good time behind bars........WHILE ACCORDING TO THE PRIME MINISTER HIMSELF HAITI LOSES INCREDIBLE AMOUNT AT THE BORDER.

Since the border does not move and I'm sure the Haitian authorities know where the border is.....I wonder why they're not looking after Haiti's ability to collect money?

No, Digicel was very clear on all press releases....all those who interfere with them will pay.

I just wish since Haiti loses exponentially more at the border in a week then the tel. com. industry loses in a year........why does Haitian authorities REFUSE to look after Haiti's interests?

Vicecomes - 29 August 2012 07:42 AM

Fanm Kreyol - 28 August 2012 09:27 PM

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

Devant,

Please don't make it a racial issue..Digicel have a lot of connections and used their influence to squash anyone that threatens their financial gain. As for as the border issue it is the same Haitian political and businessmen who are allowing this because they also are getting $$$. When will Haitians stop using racial reasons to come to conclusions of why things are the way they are. Haitians don't know how to run business and only think of their interest at all cost.

I'm not putting down Digicel for looking after bottomline. And just because I state the obvious that tel. com. in Haiti is basically white owned and controlled......does not mean I was RAISING A RACIAL ISSUE

I think everyone knows what's happening at the border.....including the US State department.......and any attemts on the part of Haiti (if so desired) to correct the situation will be squashed by them.

Hence, if Digicel had interests in Haiti (may be part owner)....then the USA would allow them to do their work.....because the USA does not interfere with white businesses.

en devant - 29 August 2012 10:49 AM

Benz - 29 August 2012 08:56 AM

Fanm Kreyol - 28 August 2012 09:27 PM

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

This article is misleading. This bust was after they started the tax on international calls and cracked down on bypassers who would not fall under the new tax. This was a way for the govt to get more money. Digicel does not benefit from taxes.

No doubt this was Lamothe's idea. This is what he was doing in Africa.

.I wonder why they're not looking after Haiti's ability to collect money?

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6320-haiti-economy-tax-revenues-significant-increases-in-july-347.html
Haiti - Economy : Tax revenues, significant increases in July - 34.7%
07/08/2012 11:14:37

Haiti - Economy : Tax revenues, significant increases in July - 34.7%
The Inter-Institutional Commission for fight against smuggling, tax evasion, money laundering and corruption, reported that the tax revenues collected by the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI), from 1 to July 30, 2012, are estimated at 1.2 billion gourdes, an increase of 34.7% compared to 911 million gourdes in July 2011.

For that same month, the General Administration of Customs (AGD), has collected 2.3 billion gourdes, an increase of 28% compared to 1.8 billion for the month of June 2012. This amount does not include the taxable value of goods seized.

The Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe stresses that "this is the first time in history that revenue has increased as much, and if we continue to act like that, Haiti will have financial independence and rely less on our friends in the international [...] The Colonel Antoine Atouriste, the Coordinator of the Commission, including the DGI, Customs, the Unit for Combating Corruption (ULCC), the Central Unit of Financial Intelligence (UCREF) and the National Police of Haiti (PNH), made ​​153 seizures of goods during the month of July [among others Morne à Cabris, Source Matelas, Ganthier....]. In addition, we will erect three gates on the border: a barrier on the border of Ouanaminthe, one on the road of the border and one on the border of Malpasse on the Haitian side, which did not exist before.

I want to congratulate the Colonel Atouriste, for this feat for the month of July and we encourage all members of this Commission, all members of the brigades, working to raise own revenues of Haiti, to continue like this, because we have a lot of revenues that are lost, and the only way that Haiti has to have its economic sovereignty and financial, is to increase our means and it is there that things begin..."

Antoine Atouriste, the Director General of the ULCC declared "[...] I must publicly thank the leadership informed of the President and the Prime Minister, which permitted this initiative, this big first. We got to awareness public officials, who cooperated so patriotic to allow revenues to grow, and secondly, this has raised awareness among taxpayers and also importers, who really understood the importance of contributing, to do their patriotic work and pay taxes. For almost over a month, all institutions of repression control anti-smuggling, anti-tax evasion [...] have put together to launch operations across the country. Operations, which for the first month, have been very positive [...] I congratulate all the officers who carried out these operations, all agents of all institutions and all taxpayers and importers [...]"

This article is very misleading......as it was intended to be.

The article is meant to cover up the fact that for that same time period July'11 , during the Martelly administration, the revenues were down subtantially from that same period July'2010.

So when the reports says there is an increase in July 2012........they mislead the readers because they omit the fact that July 2011 was a loss when compared to July 2010.

So there is no net increase from 2010...........under the Martelly administration, July 2011 was net loss of revenues from Preval, July 2010.

That's why Haiti will always be as fucked.......since everything is smokescreen for what's really happening.

en devant - 29 August 2012 11:04 AM

Vicecomes - 29 August 2012 07:42 AM

Fanm Kreyol - 28 August 2012 09:27 PM

en devant - 28 August 2012 02:07 PM

A couple of guys working in secret were caught and charged.....because they were stealing from wite owned telephone companies.

Daily, trucks are crossing the border destroying our commerce and nothing is done......I would think trucks crossing a relatively small unmovable spce (the border) would be easier to eradicate.

So I guess if we want to collect our dues we have to hand Haiti over to Digicel to manage.

Exactly, I think that's why the State Department didn't do much to help. I guarantee you if he had been arrested for allegedly stealing from a Haitian-owned companies, it would be State Department/Special Forces to the rescue.

Devant,

Please don't make it a racial issue..Digicel have a lot of connections and used their influence to squash anyone that threatens their financial gain. As for as the border issue it is the same Haitian political and businessmen who are allowing this because they also are getting $$$. When will Haitians stop using racial reasons to come to conclusions of why things are the way they are. Haitians don't know how to run business and only think of their interest at all cost.

I'm not putting down Digicel for looking after bottomline. And just because I state the obvious that tel. com. in Haiti is basically white owned and controlled......does not mean I was RAISING A RACIAL ISSUE

I think everyone knows what's happening at the border.....including the US State department.......and any attemts on the part of Haiti (if so desired) to correct the situation will be squashed by them.

Hence, if Digicel had interests in Haiti (may be part owner)....then the USA would allow them to do their work.....because the USA does not interfere with white businesses.

Devant,

You're doing it again. Playing the race card..When you realize the colour of business in $$$$$$$$ green backs. Besides if Digicel the white man didn't go to haiti..haitians would still be sending cassette tapes to talk to people back in Haiti...thank the white man LOL

So all the black countries with huge cell phone usage.....are all serviced by Digicel? LOL.

The history of USA imperialism in the region is one where they use all their foreign policy and utilize their intelligence/military capability to protect white American business....

people only have to google "united Fruit and Latin America" to see how USA had sabotaged, killed, invaded and occupy countries in the region to ensure that money flows from pockets of non-white people into the pockets of white people.

While I know Digicel is Irish owned........the end result is same. USA would not interfere with a white company that is trying to increase their profit.

Everyone knows what's happening at the border.......and even if Martelly himself ever trip and fall....hit his head....and awaken from a stupor.....and overhears someone calling him president.....and tries to act like a president and control commerce at the border.......he'd be overthrown.

What's the connection between illegally dumping goods on Haiti and white USA interests?...........it has to do with American investments in DR.


The tel. com. industry in Haiti, mostly white owned, had the duty to have the Haitian authorities investigate and arrest those who aim to do them wrong.

May be if Digicel had control of the country....they'd be able to regulate the border.....it's not a racial issue....it's reality.

Devant,

Franckly you need to grow up and take failure of haitians because of their inept ways and culture of robbing each other with no sympathy. The whiteman blame tactics are for poor blacks who need someone to blame. Question wht are you doing in the white man's country..Go back to Beloved black loving haiti?

When did I ever say Haitians are not participating in the failure of Haiti?


UNITED FRUIT COMPANY AND LATIN AMERICA......that's what people have to google to understand the history of coup d'etats, invasions, occupations and what's happening in Haiti.


I'm in te white man's country because with 5% of the world's population USA has almost 25% of the world's GDP. I'm here to take some of the money they stole from Haiti and the rest of Latin America through coup d'etats, invasions and occupations.......when USA loses its economic imperialist advantage.......I will leave.

Back to topic, If haitian authorities could locate a couple of guys (working in secrecy) who were stealing from Digicel.......then the same Haitian authorities should be able to control trucks crossing our border daily stealing from the poor haitian poor hundreds of millions dollars a year.