Potaro-based shopkeeper charged with human trafficking

Last Updated on Saturday, 26 December 2015, 21:00 by GxMedia

A shopkeeper in Potaro was Wednesday placed on GUY$1 million bail for allegedly trafficking two young women to that interior location where they had been taken to be work as a cook and a shopkeeper.

45-year old Loretta Hyman of 1801 Parika, East Bank Essequibo was not required to plea to the indictable charge which was read to her by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

She was granted her pre-trial liberty and she has to return to court on February 3.

Particulars of the charge state that Hyman recruited and transported the women in their early 20s to Mowasi Bakcdam, Potaro for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant told the court that Hyman’s daughter hired the women as a cook and shopkeeper at Mowasi. However, when they arrived at the gold mining area Hyman informed them that there was no vacancy for those positions but there were for sex work.

The ladies refused the offers and contacted their relatives who in turn sought the assistance of the Ministry of Human Services.

Hyman was contacted, arrested and charged.

Defence Lawyer, Lyndon Amsterdam told the court that there was no evidence to support the charge. On that ground, he said the prosecution ought to satisfy the court or bail should be granted.