WATCH: ‘It's a nightmare,’ says wife of Ontario man facing drug charges in Dominican

Welcome back to Inside the Village, a one-of-a-kind podcast where all news is local — and no topic is off-limits.

On this week's episode: A dream vacation spirals into a nightmare.

Family and friends are rallying around a Burlington man who was arrested in the Dominican Republic earlier this month and accused of drug trafficking.

David Bennett was on vacation in Punta Cana with his wife, Jane Wilcox, and two other friends when they were set to fly home on March 7. But instead of boarding the plane, Bennett was hauled into an interrogation room and accused of smuggling illegal substances into the country.

Authorities claim a piece of yellow luggage tagged with the name "Davi Bennett" belonged to him — an allegation his family insists is "100 per cent incorrect."

More than two weeks later, Bennett is still stuck in the Dominican awaiting his next court date.

“It’s a nightmare," said Wilcox, a guest on this week's podcast. "He is a physically strong guy, but mentally it has taken a toll on him and his family.”

SEE: Burlington man stranded in Dominican Republic faces bogus drug charges, says family

Wilcox is working around the clock to get her husband home, including hiring lawyers and pressing government officials — an effort that has already cost her family more than $30,000.

"He’s really anxious to get home," she said. "He feels like every day he is there is just a wasted day of his life that has been taken away.” 

You can read more about the case HERE and HERE.

Hosted by Scott Sexsmith and Michael Friscolanti, the Editor-in-Chief of Village Media, Inside the Village is a news and current affairs podcast that provides a weekly window into some of the best local journalism from across our chain of Ontario newsrooms. Produced by Derek Turner, the program also explores bigger-picture issues that impact people across the province.

Every episode can be found HERE. If you prefer the audio version, it is available wherever you find your favourite podcasts.

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