Twenty-three Haitians, who were caught by Lethem police illegally departing the country, were each fined a sum of $30,000 on Wednesday after they admitted to the offence.
The Haitians appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on January 13th, 2020, at Takutu, Lethem, they departed Guyana without presenting themselves to an immigration officer.
According to Prosecutor Quinn Harris, on January 13th, police officers stationed at Lethem caught the Haitians on the Takutu Bridge. After some inquiries, the Police found out that the Haitians had failed to present themselves to an immigration checkpoint. It was further revealed that the Haitians had entered the country legally via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on January 12th. They were each granted a six-month stay and told immigration officers there that they would be staying at addresses within the city.
After the translator related what Harris said, the Haitians all agreed that that was what had transpired.
They were subsequently fined $30,000 each. If they are unable to pay the fine, they will serve the default sentence of 40 days in prison.
