FOLLOWING a raid at the Diamond Hotel and Night Club, George Street, Werk-en-Rust, three Venezuelans were charged and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for entering Guyana illegally.

Carlos Bannos admitted that on January 8 at the Cuyuni River, he entered Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer. Bannos was fined $30,000 or in default eight weeks jail.

Maria Machingo was charged for entering Guyana illegally on September 20,2017 at Lethem without presenting herself to an immigration officer. Machingo was released on $20,000 bail and the matter has been adjourned until February 12.

Meanwhile, Mia Gonsalves was charged for entering Guyana illegally on December 23 at Essequibo. She confessed to the charge and was fined $30,000.

The raid was carried out at the Diamond Hotel and Night Club just after 07:00hrs on the day in question and 49 persons were taken into custody, including eight employees. The other persons are believed to be club dancers who were brought in from Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other countries.