MAGISTRATE Faith McGusty, on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, released a Cuban National on $100,000 bail after he was caught with a forged Immigration Stamp in his passport.
Kenlhys Hernandez Cartaya, a Chef, of 53 Pere Street Kitty, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and denied the charge, when it was read to him.
Particulars of the charge stated that, on January 6, 2020, at the Central Immigration Passport Office, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Jenell Lovell, an Immigration Officer, one Cuban passport, in favour of himself, containing one forged Guyana Immigration Stamp.

Attorney-at-law, Latchmi Rahamat, who represented Cartaya, asked that his client be released on reasonable bail.

Rahamat told the court that his client once resided and worked in Venezuela, after marrying a Venezuelan woman. The couple then came over to Guyana legally and have been working with the United Nations organization to assist persons, like themselves, who came to Guyana to get jobs. The couple would also assist in the area of translation for other Spanish-speaking persons who are in Guyana.

Police prosecutor objected to bail being granted to Cartaya, citing the prevalence of the offence and the fact that Cartaya has no ties to Guyana and can be a flight risk.
Magistrate McGusty, after listening to the prosecutor and the lawyer granted Cartaya $100,000 bail and ruled that he must report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters every Monday until the end of the trial. The matter was adjourned until February 5, 2020.