Businessman remanded for trafficking male Venezuelans

Wildlife exporter Feezal Shaw of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara appeared on Friday before Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly, charged with two counts of human trafficking.
One allegation against the 61-year-old defendant is that between February 14 and June 14, 2018, he recruited, transported, and harboured two Venezuelans illegally for the purpose of human trafficking.
The other charge alleges that Shaw held the two men against their will while he had them working for him.
The Prosecution is contending that Shaw also threatened the men that if they did not comply with his wishes, he would report to the Police their illegal presence in Guyana, and have them arrested, charged and deported.
According to the Prosecution’s case, the Venezuelans arrived in Guyana on February 14 via Port Charity. On February 15, they were taken to a house at Timehri to build exotic cages at $10,000 per cage.
After three weeks, Shaw took away the men’s passports, but promised to assist each man to get a work permit.
Objecting to Shaw being placed on bail, the Police Prosecutor citing the serious nature of the offences. Magistrate Daly upheld the prosecution’s submissions and remanded Shaw to prison. The case will continue on October 15.