BRAZILIAN national Raimundo Norato Barros appeared on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry to answer to charges of uttering a forged document and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Particulars of the charges state that on June 10, at Ogle International Airport, East Coast Demerara, with intent to defraud, he uttered his Brazilian passport, B001202, to Woman Constable Natasha Halley with materials inserted; that is to say, one immigration entry stamp appearing to be genuine, knowing same to be forged.

The other offence is that, between May 1 and 13, at Georgetown, he conspired with a person or persons unknown to forge two Guyana immigration stamps in his Brazilian passport, purporting to show that same was issue by an immigration officer, knowing same to be false.

Represented by Attorney-at-law Mr. Peter Hugh, Barros pleaded guilty to both charges. Hugh told the court that his client has been legally mining in Guyana for the past five years, and that he is a father of three minor children.

Hugh asked that the court be merciful in its ruling and not impose a custodial penalty on his client. He said his client has fully cooperated with the police and is a very hard working person.

Barros was fined $75,000 with an alternative of three months’ imprisonment on each charge.
Written By Geeta Rampersaud