Brazilians plead guilty to illegal entry, illegal mining

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 March 2026, 20:19 by Writer

Four Brazilians on Friday pleaded guilty to illegally entering Guyana and illegal mining.

The quartet was fined and ordered to leave Guyana within 24 hours.

They are Antonio Isal Das Soura, 49; Michael De Souza Martin, 26, Clinton Martins Fernandes, 19 and Matheus Sere Martins, 20, of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil.

The Guyana Police Force said they were arrested and charged with the offences of illegal entry and illegal mining. They appeared in court on Friday, March 27, to answer the charges.

The accused appeared at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Clive Nurse via Zoom, where the charges were read to them. They all pleaded guilty.

For the offence of illegal entry, each defendant was fined GY$30,000 or face six weeks’ imprisonment in default.

For the offence of illegal mining, each defendant was fined GY$30,000 or face six weeks’ imprisonment in default.

Police said additionally, Taiane Macedo Peixoto, a 33-year-old Brazilian national, a cook of Boa Vista, Roraima, Brazil, who was arrested and charged with the offence of illegal mining, also appeared at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Nurse via Zoom, where the charge was read to her.

She pleaded guilty.

For the offence of illegal mining, she was fined GY$$30,000 or face six weeks’ imprisonment in default.