… after failing to declare more than US,000
A contractor of Lot 197 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara, who had pleaded not guilty to a charge earlier this year for making an untrue declaration on a customs declaration form, today changed his plea to guilty and was fined $250,000.
Clairmont Reid, 37, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was represented by attorney Dexter Todd.
It was alleged that on June 6, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Reid made the untrue declaration which stated that he was not carrying more than US$10,000, when in fact he had TT$139,135 in his possession – the equivalent of US$21,000.
Reid’s attorney told the court that his client’s act of not indicating that he had the said amount of cash on him, was a mere act of habit that he usually practices when rushing through airports. The attorney pleaded with the Magistrate for mercy to be bestowed upon his client, since he was not fully knowledgeable of the depth of the term declaration.
The attorney in his lengthy closing argument stated that his client was excited by the recent concluded Local Government Election and the numerous invitations for persons to return to Guyana. Todd said his client resided in Trinidad and Tobago for more than 15 years and wanted to return home to help develop his country.
Todd pointed out that his client’s seized finances were processed by Special Organised Crime Unit, and no activity relating to money laundering or any criminal activity was found.
Along with the fine, the Chief Magistrate told the defendant that, according to the law, he has forfeited the excess money, and only US$10,000 will be given back to him.
Should he fail to pay the fine a six-month sentence will be implemented.
