Chinese national remanded on forgery charge

A Chinese national was refused bail yesterday on charges of illegal entry, forging a document and two counts of conspiring to commit a crime.

Zhou Qui Gao, 35 of 50 Durban Street, Wortmanville pleaded not guilty to the four charges when they were read to him at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

It is alleged that on June 10 at Ogle Airport with intent to defraud, he uttered a Republic of China passport with false extension of stay inserted and a false visa stamp to an immigration officer to show that it was issued by the immigration office, knowing same to be false.

Further, it is alleged that between November 14, 2009 and June 10, he conspired with persons unknown to forge an extension of stay and visa stamps by inserting them into his passport so that they may be used as genuine.

Thirdly, between February 26 and January 10, he conspired to forge an extension of stay and visa stamps in favour of himself. Between February 5 and June 10 at Springlands, he entered Guyana by sea without consent of the immigration office.

His attorney, Trevor Harris, said that because of his limited knowledge of English, he was tricked into illegal transactions.  However, he said his client was not a flight risk and is willing to comply with any requirements as a condition of bail.

However, bail was refused and the matter put down for June 22.