PILOT and businessman, Orlando Charles, who is accused of committing 16 counts of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), was, on Friday, released on just over $1.3 million bail.

Charles, 45, of Main Street, Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Christel Lambert at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court via Zoom.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that, between November 1, 2022, and May 18, 2023, he trafficked 16 Venezuelans between the Mazaruni River in Region Seven and Georgetown.

The victims reported the matter to the Guyana Police Force, and members of the Trafficking in Persons Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters immediately conducted an investigation.

Charles was placed on a total of $1,360,000 bail ($85,000 per charge) and the matter was adjourned to June 14, 2023, for statements.