POLICE officer Yonnick Smith, of Lot 457 Block 8, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, appeared yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with changing border entries for passengers.The charge against the officer alleges that on May 17, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), while employed as a clerk or servant of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Immigration Department, he made a wrong entry in the border management system with intent to defraud.

According to reports, the defendant was stationed at CJIA when several Cuban nationals entered Guyana. He then changed the entry logs to show that the Cubans had arrived from Canada rather than Cuba, which allowed the Cubans to travel back and forth without being picked up.
The 30-year-old pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was placed on $100,000 bail.

This officer has been a serving member of the Guyana Police Service for eight years an he was transferred to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) after an investigation was launched into this allegation.

Police prosecutor Deniro Jones did not oppose bail and the matter was adjourned to December 14.