http://news.sympatico.ca/oped/coffee-talk/grandma_jailed_for_12_days_over_motor_oil_mistaken_for_heroin/f4c3b392
" Your daily dose of opinion. Caution: contents may be hot!
A 66-year-old American woman was jailed in Manitoba after motor oil was mistaken for heroin. (Stock image: Getty)
A 66-year-old American woman was jailed in Manitoba after motor oil was mistaken for heroin. (Stock image: Getty)
Grandma jailed for 12 days after motor oil mistaken for heroin
27/07/2011 8:30:00 AM
by Nevil Hunt
Canada border agents thought they'd hit the jackpot when they arrested a 66-year-old Minnesota woman headed for a bingo game. She ended up in jail for 12 days for importing drugs that turned out to be just motor oil.
An American grandma received a horrific welcome to Canada when all she wanted to do was play bingo and visit family members.
Janet Goodin's van was searched by Canada Border Services Agency staff when it arrived at the tiny border crossing near Sprague, Manitoba. Inside the vehicle was an unmarked jar containing motor oil.
The agents tested the contents and decided Goodin was guilty of trying to import the drug heroin.
Goodin was interrogated, strip-searched and sent to the Winnipeg Remand Centre, where she spent time mixed in with criminals. After 12 days, she was released when testing determined the jar didn't contain drugs.
That's the kind of nightmare one might expect in a Banana Repubic, but not on entry to Canada.
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews told a reporter that he's waiting to read a report on the case before determining "whether there were any errors" made by Canadian border staff. An apology costs nothing and can help mend fences along our great undefended border. I'd suggest Toews apologize now, and apologize even more once the report lands on his desk. Then keep apologizing.
Canada doesn't need to deter visitors from the States, and Goodin's story could scare off more U.S. visitors than a loony that costs US$1.06.
The blame for the fiasco shouldn't be dumped on our border agents. We count on them to keep out bad people and bad things, like drugs and guns. It's not a simple task.
In Goodin's case, Canadian border staff carried out a search and found a substance in an unmarked jar. If those agents tested the contents and determined the material was illegal, then they did what they're paid to do. They had no choice but to arrest the person trying to import the material.
If the equipment our border officers use to test for drugs isn't up to snuff, we shouldn't blame the staff. The blame should travel upwards and land on Toews' desk.
Next question: why did it take 12 days to determine that the jar contained no illegal substances? Once again, it comes down to the resources provided to the Canada Border Services Agency and the priority – or lack thereof – given to the testing.
Surely when we have someone sitting in jail, the testing of the evidence should be at the top of the pile at whatever police crime lab is used to identify the substance. We owe that to Canadians, and we also owe it to anyone visiting our country.
Not surprisingly, Goodin has hired a lawyer who will likely file a lawsuit. The money our federal government pays out in this case would be much better spent on improved equipment and processes for our border security staff.
Should Canada apologize to Goodin? If it's a good idea to have border security, shouldn't we equip our agents properly? "
H.H.H. - demo 1986 (spain)
-
cleaned these recording,more than a year,didnt know shit back than but this
one came out reaaaaal nice!!!
that bass sound,insane!
best spanish recordings e...
5 minutes ago







