Four Colombians were on Monday arraigned before magistrates in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, charged for overstaying their time in Guyana.
Yeison Sanchez, 27; Renaldo Rodrigues, 45; and Jesus Ameya, 52, all appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, while Wilinton Reyes, 36, appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Sanchez admitted to overstaying his time in Guyana, having been granted permission to stay until November 18, 2017; while Rodrigues and Ameya also told Magistrate McLennan that they overstayed from September 25, 2017 to January 2, 2018 and September 20, 2017 to January 2, 2018 respectively.
Reyes admitted to Magistrate Latchman that he overstayed his time, having been granted permission to stay until October 23, 2017.
The courts heard that the four men were apprehended by Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) ranks on January 2 when a raid was carried out at the Grant Woodland Condo.
They were all later charged for aiding Gavin Alves in trafficking narcotics, but the charge was recently dismissed. This present charge was subsequently brought against them.
Their attorney, Benard DaSilva, told the court that the men were all in Guyana legally, having been granted a one month stay. He claimed that even though they had overstayed their time, they all have their documents, and are seeking money to return home.
The Chief Magistrate fined Sanchez, Rodrigues and Ameya $20,000 each. Failure to pay same will result in eight weeks’ imprisonment.
Magistrate Latchman fined Reyes $50,000, or a default of eight weeks’ imprisonment; and he was ordered to be deported after paying said fine or serving his time in jail.
