THREE male Cuban nationals were placed on $80,000 bail each when they appeared before City Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the charge of uttering a forged document.

It is alleged that on October 9, 2016, at Moleson Creek, Corentyne, Guyana with intent to defraud, Osmel Guirola-Aboscol, Andy Perez Rodriguez, and Alain Perez Rodriguez each uttered to Police Constable 22400 Carol their Cuban passports– numbered 1357761, J132153, and J132151, respectively.
In their respective passports contained on pages 4&7, 5&6, and 5, forged immigration stamps, which the three accused allegedly purported to have been installed by Immigration Officials at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), knowing same to be false.

Attorney Melvin Duke who represented the men stated that his clients entered Guyana legally and were granted permission to stay until October 17, 2016 and they all reside at Lot 234 Garnett Street Kitty. Duke told the court that the trio approached an individual, who offered to have their stay extended legally. The men handed over their documents to the individual to make the necessary changes.

Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt did not object to bail, however he told the court that the prosecution had the passports their possession. The magistrate asked Hunt on what basis or authority is the Guyana Police Force holding on to the travel documents, which rightfully belong to the Cuban government. She said the prosecution should have lodged the passports at the respective consulate office.

Hunt made an application for the passports to be forwarded to the Cuban Embassy, where they are to be held pending the outcome of the matter. Magistrate Latchman then ordered that the documents be kept, in the interim, in the safe custody of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court until the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana or someone delegated by the Cuban Embassy in Guyana uplifts them. The trio will return to court on October 25, 2016.