Haitian national fined, ordered deported after overstaying

A Haitian national has been fined $60,000 and ordered deported for overstaying in Guyana.

Pierre Baptiste, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Georgetown on Thursday, pleaded guilty to the charge that between December 28th, 2018 and July 1st, 2019, at Georgetown, Guyana, he failed to comply with conditions granting him permission to stay in Guyana for the one-month period of November 28th to December 28th.

According to details provided by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, on the 1st of July, Ranks from ‘A’ Division conducted a search at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and several persons, including Baptiste, were arrested.

A search of Baptiste uncovered his passport and upon examination it was found that he had overstayed his time. He was escorted to the Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters and a further investigation was conducted. The Central Immigration office was contacted and verified that Baptiste had legally entered Guyana and was granted a month-long stay. When checks were made to verify whether he had applied for an extension of his stay, it was discovered that he had not.

After Baptiste’s guilty plea, Magistrate McLennan fined him $60,000, with the alternative of four weeks in prison if he cannot pay the fine. She also informed him that he would be escorted out of the country as soon as the fine was paid or the time was served.