Police issue wanted bulletin for pilot slapped with 16 TIP charges

– accused denies allegations, hires attorney to clear name

The Police have now issued a wanted bulletin for 45-year-old Orlando Charles, a pilot and businessman of Middle Street, Georgetown against whom 16 Trafficking in Person charges have been instituted.

Police have said that between November 1, 2022 and May 18, 2023, Charles trafficked 16 Venezuelan nationals between Mazaruni riverine communities in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Georgetown. The victims reported the matter to the Guyana Police Force, and members of the Trafficking in Persons Unit of the Criminal Investigations Department Headquarters immediately conducted an investigation.
Following that investigation, legal advice was given by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for Charles to be charged with 16 counts of Trafficking in Persons. He is expected to be arraigned in court shortly.
The Guyana Police Force’s TIP Unit, in efforts to combat Trafficking in Persons, will continue to work with other stakeholders to conduct intelligence-led operations, spot inspections, awareness, and training in every region of Guyana.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Charles is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers: 216-0251; 444-3429; 225-2896, 911, or at the nearest Police station.
Charles, however, has since denied the Police report that he is wanted for questioning in relation to allegations of trafficking in persons. In a response seen by this newspaper, Charles has said he was made aware of the Guyana Police Force issuing a Wanted Bulletin for him and immediately attempted to contact the numbers listed on the Wanted Bulletin, but all his calls have gone unanswered.
“I have retained Counsel, Sanjeev Datadin, to act for me. I have promptly made contact, with the assistance of Counsel, with ASP Caesar at the Major Crimes Unit, Criminal Investigation Department, and have willingly agreed to present myself to the Police as requested.”
He admitted that, as a businessman in the construction sector, he had hired several persons, but said he had had nothing to do with bringing them into Guyana, or controlling their movements or where they were employed.
“Indeed, a dispute arose with some of them over wages, and I agreed to resolve the matter to our mutual agreement, and some of the persons readily accepted settlement whilst others wanted more money”, he disclosed.
He added that he had been contacted by the Police in Bartica and asked to give a statement, and he had provided one to them.
“They placed me on station bail, and I reported back to the station as required. It was therefore surprising to learn via the media that I was being accused by my workers of trafficking,” he declared.
Further, he stated that aggrieved workers were at a restaurant in Bartica discussing their grievances when they were approached by members of an NGO, who suggested that pay dispute could be classified as ‘Trafficking’, and offered to assist them in getting paid.
“I repeat, I did not transport these workers to Guyana, nor have I ever been in control of their travel documents”, Charles has said.
He also revealed that he intends to defend his name and reputation from being tarnished.