A Brazilian miner was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with fraud and conspiracy when he appeared before Magistrate Alan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrates Court.
It is alleged that on February 5, at Ogle Airport, East Coast Demerara, Solimar De Costa, 51, with intent to defraud uttered to a police constable, a Republic of Brazil passport in his name, with two false Guyana entry stamps, purporting that they were issued by the Central Immigration Office, knowing same to be false.
The other allegation against De Costa is that between November 16, 2012 and February 8, 2013 at Georgetown he conspired with person or persons unknown to insert two false Guyana immigration stamps in his Republic of Brazil passport.
De Costa was not required to plead to the indictable charges when they were read to him.
Attorney Paul Fung-a-Fat, who represented the accused, in his bail application told the court that his client was not a flight risk, since he stays with the Miners’ Associations at 57 Robb Street. He said his client has no antecedents.
Fung-a Fat further went on to say that his client has heart problems and if he is remanded to prison he will be unable to receive his medication. He said that his client is willing to post bail at any amount.
Counsel further went on to say that his client has been residing in Guyana for five years and he traverses from Guyana to Brazil steadily. He said that his client has always been granted a renewal of his passport and on the day in question the last entry stamp was found to be forged.
Fung-a Fat told the court that De Costa wants to plead and gave evidence against the police.
He said the Miners’ Association finds the allegations against De Costa to be a regular occurrence and would like to put an end to it.
He said that De Costa’s work permit has been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs and that he is willing to lodge his Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas (CPF) card.
Police Prosecutor Kerry Bostwick objected to bail citing that the defendant has no local ties; he is a flight risk, and the nature of the allegation. Bostwick said that not only one but two forged stamps were placed in the passport.
Bostwick pointed out the punishment the charges attract if the accused is found guilty. He asked that De Costa be remanded.
He said that the prosecution wishes to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concerning the matter.
The magistrate, after listening to submissions from the defence and the prosecution refused to grant De Costa bail.
The defence counsel, on hearing this, told the court that remanding his client to prison can kill him; he asked if he can be confined to Eve Leary.
The magistrate then asked that steps be taken for the accused to have his medication while in prison.
De Costa will make his next court appearance on February 20.
