Venezuelan woman slapped with 3 TIP charges, on $1M bail

A Venezuelan woman accused of human trafficking was granted $1 million bail after a complex series of court proceedings. Andreina Jimenez, 27, now faces three counts of Trafficking in Persons and one count of Unlawful Withholding of Identification Documents under the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, No. 7 of 2023. Among the victims is a 14-year-old girl.

According to the charges, the first two trafficking offences allegedly occurred between August 1 and August 21, 2024. The third charge covers the same timeframe, while the fourth charge, involving the 14-year-old victim, allegedly occurred between May 1 and August 1, 2024.
Jimenez, represented by attorney Siand Dhurjon, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court #5.
This was the woman’s second appearance in court, just a week after she was accused and charged with human trafficking. However, she was freed due to procedural errors in the initial charges. Days later she was informed that she was wanted by authorities, and voluntarily presented herself to the police, only to be recharged.
Dhurjon, her lawyer argued that Jimenez was not informed directly by the police that she was wanted and was held in custody for more than 72 hours, in violation of legal standards, and highlighted her status as a resident in Guyana for the past four years. He also mentioned her responsibilities as a mother to a 10-year-old son while requesting reasonable bail of $150,000 per charge.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, asserting that Jimenez was a flight risk. They noted discrepancies in her stated address, claiming she provided the Red Dragon nightclub as her location, which raised doubts about her fixed place of residence.
Prosecutors also alleged that Jimenez directly facilitated the trafficking operations by collecting payments from clients and coordinating encounters with the victims, all of whom reportedly lived at the same location. The prosecution also stated that a wanted bulletin was issued for Jimenez, hence, why she turned herself in to the police.
Magistrate McGusty rebuked the prosecution for making claims without sufficient proof, including the lack of evidence of a wanted bulletin. Nonetheless, Jimenez was granted bail set at $1 million in total, with conditions attached. She must surrender her passport, report to the Major Crimes Unit in Georgetown every second and fourth Friday of the month, and have no contact with the victims.
The case has been adjourned to December 16.