Cuban remanded on fraud, conspiracy charges

A 33-year-old Cuban on Wednesday made an appearance before Georgetown Magistrate Faith McGusty facing two charges of fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.
The first charge against Georley Ruiz Veliz detailed that on January 4, 2019, at the Central Immigration Passport office, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he presented a Republic of Cuba passport to an immigration officer with forged Guyana Immigration- Cheddi Jagan International Airport departure and arrival stamp of 2018 knowing same to be forged.
The other charge stated that on October 24, 2018 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he conspired with person(s) unknown to forge the immigration departure and arrival stamp dated 2018, purporting to show both was issued by the Central Immigration Passport Office.
The unrepresented Veliz, by way of a translator, told the Magistrate that he did not know what to say; as a result, a not-guilty plea was entered for both charges.
Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman objected to bail, informing the court that the foreigner has no fixed place of abode locally.
Magistrate McGusty remanded Veliz to prison. The case will continue on January 30, 2019.