Two Cuban nationals were on Friday each fined $70,000 after pleading guilty to charges that they presented forged US Green Cards to an immigration officer.
Roberto Francisco and Lewis Vasco, who spoke little English, were each read a charge that on March 3, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri they uttered forged US Permanent Resident Cards in favour of themselves to immigration officer Akeem Stewart, reporting same to have been issued by the US.
Francisco, 46, and Vasco, 28, both pleaded guilty to the charges after they were translated by an immigration officer.
The court heard that both men were en route to Miami and were issued the documents in Cuba. It was further stated that the defendants had no knowledge that the documents were false as both men have tickets to travel to the US.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan fined the defendants $70,000 each or four weeks in jail if they were unable to pay the fine. She added that they were to be escorted to the nearest port for deportation after the fine was paid or at the end of time served.
