Businessman charged with TIP, remanded to prison

A 49-year-old businessman of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Alberttown, Georgetown, was on Tuesday charged with trafficking in persons (TIP), following his arrest on September 19. Alvin Parag is accused of committing the offence against a 31-year-old female foreign national between March 29 and June 7, 2025, at Diamond, EBD. He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond Magistrate’s Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution strongly opposed bail, which the court refused and Parag was subsequently remanded to prison.

The matter has been adjourned to October 6.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to combat trafficking in persons in all its forms.
Last year, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted that migrants account for more than 90 per cent of trafficking cases in Guyana, with over 1,446 victims identified and supported through the Countering Trafficking in Persons Unit (TIPU). In 2024, authorities launched initiatives such as a $134 million transitional centre at Cummings Lodge, expansion of services to Region One (Barima-Waini), all aimed at providing support to victims and strengthening law enforcement capacity.
The new Combatting of Trafficking of Persons law, introduced last year, introduced harsher penalties for offenders and restitution for victims. Former Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, have both emphasised the need for vigilance, particularly in rural and indigenous communities, and for decisive action to protect victims.