Twelve Venezuelan illegal immigrants received custodial sentences ranging from three weeks to 18 months’ simple imprisonment when they appeared before Magistrate Alicia Chankar, at the Point Fortin First Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
All 12 were charged with breach of exemption and illegal entry, while the parents of two minors were additionally charged with aiding and abetting to enter the borders illegally. The parents of the two minors received 18-month sentences, while the other ten received sentences of three weeks’ imprisonment. The illegal immigrants are to be deported after they have served their prison sentences.
Around 5:25pm on Friday 28th May, 2021, police received information regarding a Toyota Aqua vehicle that was allegedly transporting illegal immigrants along the Chatham Beach Road, South. A party of officers responded and observed the said vehicle parked at an abandoned house. Upon checking the house, police observed 12 adults and two minors, all of whom were foreign nationals. The 12 adult illegal immigrants were arrested as they could not establish legal entry into Trinidad, while the Toyota Aqua vehicle was taken to the Point Fortin Police Station.
The Magistrate also made an order to seize the motor vehicle which was used to facilitate these offences.
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