Two Dominican Republic women accused of uttering forged passports to an immigration officer were yesterday remanded to prison when they appeared before Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The allegation against Niglima Cruz Rez and Brenelda Curz Conterrez is that on August 11 at Immigration Service, Moleson Creek, Corentyene, with intent to defraud, they uttered to Police Constable George one forged St. Kitts and Nevis passport numbered R0011262 and one Antigua and Barbuda passport numbered A016976 respectively, in favour of themselves, knowing same to be false.
Rez, 45, is a domestic helper while her niece Conterrez, 30, is a banker.
No facts of what transpired on the day in question were presented to the court.
The aunt and niece who had to be provided with an interpreter were not required to plead to the indictable charges of uttering a forged document when they were read to them by the magistrate.
Attorney-at-law George Thomas failed to secure bail for his clients after the prosecution advanced that both defendants posed a risk of flight.
Police Corporal Venetta Pindar objected to the bail application made by counsel, stating that since the two are foreign nationals, there is a likelihood they may not return to court to stand trial if granted bail.
After listening to the submissions of both the prosecution and the defence, the court acceded to the prosecution’s request and informed the women that they would be remanded to prison.
Their matters were transferred to the Springlands Magistrates’ Court for August 25.
