MAGISTRATE Sherdel Isaac-Marcus, on Monday, January 13, 2020, fined seven Haitians $30,000 each or, in default, forty days in prison for leaving Guyana illegally.

Miralda Jean Pierre, 25, Mireille Talius, 21, Barnaby Fleurvil, 24, Bendimmy Dorsainvil, 26, Fredo Cadet, 28, Rosette Alerte, 58, and Elta Etienne, 26, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty, through an interpreter, when the charge was read to them.

Particulars of the charge stated that, on January 8, 2020, at Takutu Lethem, they departed from Guyana, without presenting themselves to an immigration officer.
One of the Haitians explained, through the interpreter, that he received information that he can come to Guyana and get a visa. He added that he was picked up at the airport in a bus and was taken to Brazil, and he had no knowledge that he had to present himself to an immigration officer.

Police prosecutor told the court that the defendants arrived in Guyana on January 5, 2020, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and were granted six months’ stay. On January 8, 2020, police, acting on information, went to the Takutu Bridge.

The police then made contact with the defendants and asked them to produce their travel documents. Upon checking the documents, it was observed that they and had left Guyana illegally and went to Brazil but was denied entry.

They were arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary. Further investigations were conducted and they were charged for the offence.

The matter was adjourned until January 15, 2020, when they will be faced with another charge.