A Dominican, whom the court heard was able to pass through the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and the Eugene F. Correia, Ogle International Airport, with a forged passport, was this morning charged for the offence.
This is after the authorities in Barbados observed that his passport was forged and denied him entry into their country.
Twenty-six-year-old Jose Alberto Medina appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
The first charge stated that on November 18, 2019, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, East Bank Demerara, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Suresh Smith, a police constable one forged Republic of Guatemala passport in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guatemala Immigration Department, knowing same to be forged.
It was further alleged that on November 18, 2019, at the Eugene F. Correia, Ogle International Airport, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Niketa Azore, an immigration officer, one forged Republic of Guatemala passport in favour of himself, purporting to show that same was issued by the Guatemala Immigration Department, knowing same to be forged.
Through the aid of an interpreter, the defendant pleaded not guilty to both charges after they were read to him by the Magistrate.
Medina’s lawyer, Adrian Thompson, in an unsuccessful bail application, told the court that his client came to Guyana to travel to another county.
Facts presented by police prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on the day in question, the defendant came to Guyana via CJIA using his Guatemala passport. He then left and went to the Ogle Airport using the said passport and boarded a flight to Barbados.
However, upon his arrival in Barbados, the authorities observed that Medina’s passport was forged and denied him entry.
The authorities then sent him back to Guyana, and on his arrival here, he was kept in custody.
While in custody at the Criminal Investigation Department( CID), a thorough investigation was conducted and it was observed that his passport was forged.
Medina then allegedly admitted to the police that he purchased the passport in Dominica.
The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, then asked the prosecutor how can the authorities in Barbados send a man to Guyana who has no ties to the country.
She further asked if the authorities in Barbados sent a statement saying that the defendant’s passport was forged.
To both questions, the prosecutor responded in the negative. He then stated that the prosecution file is incomplete.
Hence, the Magistrate remanded to the defendant to prison in order for the prosecutor to get all the necessary information on the matter.
The father of one was instructed to make his next court appearance on November 21.
