Brazilian fined for illegal entry to Guyana

A 50-year-old Brazilian was fined and deported after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer to a charge of illegal entry.
Jose Perriera stood before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and admitted to the charge which stated that on March 30, 2019, at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), he entered Guyana by land and did not present himself to an immigration officer at the port of entry.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court on Monday that on April 10, 2019, the defendant was detained by ranks attached to B Division (Berbice) of the Guyana Police Force, who were at the time conducting a search at the Berbice Bridge. Perriera was asked to present his travel documents but failed to do so. As a result, he was escorted to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters, where he admitted by means of an interpreter that he entered Guyana via Lethem by riding a bicycle over the border.
The unrepresented Brazilian, in a plea of mitigation, told the court that he came to Guyana in search of a better job.
The Chief Magistrate fined Perriera $30,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving three weeks in prison. He was also deported.