Bar owner charged for operating brothel released on bail

A 55-year-old bar owner is facing charges after being accused of conducting prostitution operations out of his place of business. Surujlall Deowattie, the owner of Lallo’s Pools Bar and Hotel, appeared at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court on Thursday before Magistrate Esther Sam.
It is alleged that between January 1, 2023, and August 6, 2023, he utilised his establishment, located at Public Road, Mainstay, Essequibo Coast, as a brothel. He was granted bail in the sum of $200,000.
After receiving information, the Police allegedly swooped down on the hotel and bar where they found several female Venezuelan nationals. Some of the females reportedly admitted that they came to Guyana from Venezuela to engage in prostitution and that they would frequent the bar to solicit clients.
According to reports, the women have a service charge from which Deowattie would allegedly demand 30 per cent from them for the usage of his hotel rooms.
In April, a Venezuelan businesswoman was slapped with a six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to operating two brothels in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The brothels were respectively located at Barakatt Backdam and Crusher Landing. These establishments, which were subsequently destroyed by authorities, were being operated by Mayelin Josefina Cordova, a 41-year-old, who is also accused of human trafficking.
It is alleged that contrary to Section 3 (1) (i) of the Combatting of Trafficking in Persons Act, No 2 of 2005, she trafficked nine Venezuelan females from Venezuela to Guyana between March 15 and April 30, 2023, and exploited them between Crusher Hill and Barakat Backdam. Cordova was remanded to prison after denying the nine charges.
The alleged victims reported the matter to the Police, and members of the TIP Unit of the Police Force’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters conducted an investigation.
Based on that investigation, legal advice was given by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Cordova to be charged with nine counts of Trafficking in Persons.
The Police have reiterated that, in an effort to combat human trafficking, its TIP Unit will continue to work with other stakeholders to conduct intelligence-led operations, spot inspections, awareness, and training in every region of Guyana.
The Human Services and Social Security Ministry continues to encourage people to report all suspicious activities on hotline numbers (592) 227-4083 or (592) 623-5030. Spanish-speaking persons can contact (592) 624-0079.