Human trafficking charges have been reinstituted against Soesdyke businessman Feezal Shaw, months after he was freed following a procedural error.
Last year, Shaw, a wildlife trader who operates South American Unlimited, was charged with trafficking two Venezuelan men for labour.
It was alleged that between February 14th and June 14th, 2018, at Soesdyke, Shaw engaged in trafficking in persons, that is, he recruited, harboured or transported Eduaro Vivas and Jose Rodriguez for them to work and did not pay them.
He was later discharged by Magistrate Faith McGusty after a trial was conducted.
However, since the prosecutor never made an application for the Administration of Justice Act to be applied, which would see the defendant entering a plea to the charge and facing a trial, a Preliminary Inquiry was conducted instead. Shaw was subsequently freed.
In the courtroom of Magistrate Annette Singh yesterday, the same charges were reinstituted and Shaw pleaded not guilty.
He was then granted his release on $100,000 bail and is to make his next court appearance on September 11th.
Shaw is now being represented by attorney Dexter Todd, who has said that it is unfair for his client to have to once again deal with the allegations after being freed.
It is the police’s case that on February 14th, 2018, the victims, who are both Venezuelan nationals, were invited to Guyana to work for Shaw. The victims were allegedly brought to Guyana and told that they would be building cages for Shaw’s exotic animals. They were reportedly paid for their first three days here and then they were not paid anything until June 1st, 2018, when they were given $100,000. They subsequently asked for the money owed to them on later occasions but were never paid.
It is also alleged that Shaw took their passports and told them he would get them an extension of time but he never returned the documents.
