Latest update April 18th, 2025 8:12 AM
Brazilian remanded for trafficking Venezuelans
A Brazilian who has been living in Guyana for the past 11 years was yesterday remanded to prison after she was slapped with two trafficking in persons charges and two charges for harbouring of Venezuelans for means of labour exploitation.
Thirty-two-year-old, Christine Rodriguez, who is the owner of the Ola Hotel which is located at Charlotte Street, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Remanded to prison Christine Rodriguez
It is alleged that between November 4 and November 28, last, at Ola Hotel Charlotte Street, Georgetown, while being an employer of two Venezuelans for the purpose of trafficking, she knowingly confiscated immigration documents belonging to the women. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
It was further alleged that during the same period, Rodriguez engaged in trafficking of persons by harbouring two Venezuelans by means of abuse of position, she hired the Venezuelans for means of labour exploitation. She was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to her.
Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon in an application to secure bail for his client, told the court that Rodriguez has been living in Guyana for the past 11 years and she is married to a Guyanese.
The lawyer told the court that if bail is granted to his client she will return to court since she has assets in Guyana.
Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to Rodriguez citing that she is a flight risk.
Facts presented by the Prosecutor stated that Rodriguez hired the women to cook at her hotel and they were being paid $12,000 weekly.
However, when the women requested their travel document, the woman refused to hand it over to them. Hence, they went and reported the matter.
Remanded to prison Arnold Melville
The Magistrate after listening to the Prosecutor remanded Rodriguez to prison. The mother of one was instructed to make her next court appearance on January 3, 2019.
Meanwhile before the same Magistrate a teary miner was also charged in relation to trafficking of the Venezuelan women.
It is alleged between November 4 and November 28 last, Arnold Melville, 50 ,of Eteringbang Cuyuni River, assisted by receiving and transporting two Venezuelans to Christine Rodriguez to engage in trafficking them for the purpose of labour exploitation.
A teary-eyed Melville denied both charges after they were read to him by the Magistrate. His lawyer, Clyde Forde, in an attempt to secure bail for his client told the court that he has never been charged before.
However, Prosecutor Mansfield opposed to bail being granted to Melville citing that if bail is granted he will likely interfere with the witnesses.
The Magistrate after listening to the prosecutor remanded Melville to prison. The father of six was instructed to make his next court appearance on March 19, 2019 at the Kamarang Magistrates’ Court.
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