A Brazilian couple was placed on a total of $175,000 bail after they appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octive-Hamilton on forgery charges regarding a Guyana immigration stamp.
It is alleged that between July 28 and 29, with intent to defraud, Antonio Carlos Perreira, 36, and his wife Vanessa Leticia DeSouza, 30, conspired with a person or persons unknown to forge a Guyana immigration stamp in Brazilian passport, number CX 687469 in favour of DeSouza.
It is also alleged that on July 30 DeSouza uttered to Constable 18620 Gomani the said forged stamp in the passport to show that it was issued by Guyana Immigration Authority, knowing same to be forged.
Desouza was further charged with illegal entry. It is alleged that on July 18 at Port Moleson Creek, Corentyne she entered Guyana illegally without presenting herself to an immigration officer. Proceedings at court were aided by an interpreter from the Brazilian Embassy.
Attorney-at-law Vic Puran who represented the couple enquired whether the passport was determined as forged or the stamp. According to him the stamp is a genuine one.
Puran told the court that DeSouza was travelling to Guyana and lost her passport on the way here. She reported that to the Brazilian Embassy and was issued another. The Embassy advised her to go to the Immigration Office to acquire the necessary stamp. Puran said that the taxi driver who took them to the office left them in the car and went in to make inquiries related to the stamp and came back out and told the couple that they needed to provide $22,000 to process the application. Puran said that the couple has done no wrong but only fell prey to a “nasty taxi driver and immigration officer,” who Puran said has been in custody for the matter.
Prosecutor Desiree Fowler had first objected to bail but then changed her position when it was revealed that the Brazilian Embassy would take full custody of the couple to ensure that they attend court for their trial.
The conspiracy charge will remain at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court for August 11 while the other two charges were transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for August 18.
