As efforts continue to crack down on human traffickers, another woman was charged when she appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for Trafficking in Persons.
Nafeeza Mohammed, a shopkeeper of Lot 17 Bush Lot, Essequibo Coast, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which stated that between April 26 to May 31, 2016 at Hope Backdam, Region One (Barima-Waini), she was involved in trafficking a 17-year-old girl; that is to say she recruited, transported and harboured the minor.
Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that the defendant deceived the minor when she told her that she will gain employment at the shop, but when the teen arrived at the location, she was allegedly forced into prostitution.
Jones stated that the minor is in the custody of the State and requested that the defendant receive substantial bail due to the nature of the offence.
The defendant was granted bail in the sum of G$300,000.
The defendant’s Attorney, Delville Duke, pleaded with the Magistrate to lower the bail since his client only had G$230,000 and has three small children.
Mohammed’s bail was reduced to G$230,000. The case will continue on August 3.
