The businessman who earlier this month appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly charged with trafficking nine Brazilian women reappeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before the Chief Magistrate on Friday facing additional charges.
Mario Figueira
Mario Figueira, 34, of Lot 6 Bel Air Promenade, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the eight charges which were read to him by Magistrate Ann McLennan.
It is alleged that between August 18 and 24, 2016, while acting as an employer to the Brazilians, knowingly took possession of their identification cards.
Figueira’s attorney K Juman-Yassin told the court that since his client was first charged, he has not missed any of his court hearings and as such he petitioned for bail.
The prosecutor told the court that investigations into the matter have concluded and the nine Brazilians are presently in the custody of the Brazilian Embassy.
Bail was granted at the sum of $200,000.
The first charge had alleged that Figueira and a Brazilian, Joaquin Fillio, had recruited, transported and harboured the women for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
The men pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Fillio was remanded to prison and Figueira was granted bail in the sum of $120,000 for each of the nine charges.
