The Chief Magistrate yesterday fined three Venezuelan women after they were charged separately with entering the country illegally in search of a better life.
Gilda Barreto, Geamany Alvarado and Jorkuana Vilera were all read separate charges by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, through the aid of a translator.
Barreto, 18, is accused of entering Guyana, on May 6 at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River without the consent of an immigration officer.
Alvarado, 29, is accused of entering Guyana on April 20, while Vilera, 30, entered Guyana on May 6, both through Eteringbang, without the consent of an immigration officer.
After the charges were read, the women pleaded guilty.
The women, who entered Guyana on different days, according to the prosecutor, were all asked to present their passports to the police, on May 27, but were unable to do so, and were subsequently arrested and charged.
When asked why they had come to Guyana, the women spoke of their desperation to find work, food and money to be able to take care of their families.
Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan later ordered each defendant to pay a fine of $15,000 or serve a sentence of two weeks in jail. After the women would have paid their fines or served the sentence, they will be escorted to the nearest port of exit.
