ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The two days spent behind bars by son of drug trafficking-accused Dante Tagliaventi were challenging, but the suspect’s offspring said he “understands” investigators have their job to do regarding the matter which landed his dad in a Puerto Rico jail.
Tagliaventi’s older of two sons, who was detained over a week ago, said while he was in custody at St John’s Police Station, his only hope was to get his freedom since he has nothing to hide and nothing to do with the alleged illegal activities involving his father.
He said the deprivation of his freedom and search of his home as part of the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP) probe were tough because he had never been in such a situation until in recent weeks.
Meantime, the accused man’s offspring said there is nothing obscure about the departure of his younger brother, who returned to their homeland, Italy, immediately after news broke of Tagliaventi’s arrest.
“He is coming back. He had to appear in court for his divorce in Italy on Wednesday hence the reason he left. He is coming soon,” the older brother said.
Tagliaventi was reportedly nabbed in the Dominican Republic earlier this month and immediately flown to Puerto Rico where he and five male co-accused were remanded to prison for alleged illegal shipment of about 4,000 kilos of cocaine.
When the sons got wind of the charges against their father, both said they were estranged from him and had learned of the situation via the media.
Days after Tagliaventi’s arrest, his older son’s Gambles home and storage house were searched and several items confiscated. The ONDCP also searched Tagliaventi’s leather and jewellery shop, Luxury Brands.
The search at the Heritage Quay business yielded nothing as all the merchandise had been taken out before lawmen moved in to investigate. The items are yet to be recovered.
Scores of people have come forward with claims they had investments with the embattled businessman and are awaiting answers on how they could retrieve monies or collect items they paid for.
