Man who rode from Brazil to Berbice arrested for illegal entry

Jose Lopez Ferreira, a national of Brazil appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged with entering Guyana illegally via Lethem, Region 9.

Ferreira, 50, pleaded guilty to the charge and with the aid of an interpreter, told the Chief Magistrate that he rode to Guyana from Brazil to seek employment and a better life.

The Chief Magistrate fined Ferreira $30,000; if the fine is not paid, he will spend four weeks in prison and then deported.

The court heard that March 30, 2019, and April 2, 2019, at Lethem, Ferreira entered Guyana and did not present himself to an Immigration Officer.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that Ferreira was apprehended on April 10 by police during a stop and search at the Berbice Bridge.

The foreign national was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and with the aid of an interpreter, said he did not own a passport and came to Guyana by riding his bicycle.