Magistrate's Court
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
Magistrate's Court
Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News
The three men of San Juan, Puerto Rico (PR) who were arrested at a guest house in Cane Garden Bay (CGB) have pleaded guilty to illegal entry.
During their second court appearance today, January 15, Ruben Nunez, Esteban Acevedo Tapia and Joel Hernandez pleaded guilty to landing in the Territory at Cane Garden Bay without the leave from an Immigration Officer on December 19 and December 20, 2012 respectively. However, they pleaded not guilty to the charge of failing to declare $133,110 to Her Majesty's Customs on December 20, 2012.
Prosecutor Sarah Benjamin made an application for adjournment in order to seek advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the way forward in relation to the not guilty charge. This means whether or not the DPP's Office will go ahead with a trial on that charge or drop the charge given the guilty plea on the illegal entry charge.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards granted the adjournment and the men, who are on remand, will return to court on Monday, January 21 where their lawyer will also make a plea in mitigation and the crown will relate the facts in the case.
An interpreter was present at today's hearing.
In a December 24 press release, police stated that officers of the Special Investigations Unit arrested the three men for illegal entry and seized over $133,000 during an operation at a guest house in the Cane Garden Bay area.
According to the Police Information Office, with the assistance of Customs and Immigration, police searched the guest house occupied by the suspects and the cash was uncovered.
