ELEVEN Venezuelans are due to face the court after they were charged with entering the country illegally at Erin.
The eight men and three women between the ages of 19 and 44 years were arrested on Friday. Nine were charged with illegal entry while two were charged with illegal entry and aiding and abetting.
The group was held during a maritime operation where information was received from the Radar Centre and conveyed to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard Mother Ship.
On that day, 13 Venezuelans including two babies, were stopped by the Coast Guard around 1 a.m. at a fishing area near Erin.
The boat was carrying eight men, two women and two children ages one year and two months.
A black cow, quantities of cheese, alcohol and sausage were also found.
Earlier in March, two undocumented Venezuelans were arrested for possession of uncustomed goods. Alcoholic beverages, pepper sauce, clothing, footwear and a container of cheese were seized. They were arrested by the police after their vehicle was stopped in Santa Flora.
The Express reached out to Minister of National Security Roger Alexander over these recent arrests of undocumented immigrants but no response was received.
In a release in relation to the 11 immigrants, the TTPS said that it was working closely with other stakeholders to secure the country’s borders and address illegal entry. It also reminded the public that assisting or facilitating illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago is a serious offence and those found involved in such will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
