Venezuelan civil engineer jailed for illegal entry

San Fernando Magistrate Natalie Diop yesterday sentenced the foreigner to two years in prison with hard labour.

“During the time you have been in this island, you committed serious offences and this history is an aggravating factor,” Diop said.

“The maximum penalty for this offence (illegal entry) is $50,000 and three years in jail.” Diop further remarked that given the two previous convictions, together with the fact that Yzaguirre entered the country illegally, the court “cannot turn a blind eye” to the offences committed.

The Spanish-speaking national pleading guilty to the charge which stated that on June 19, at an unknown beach in Trinidad, a place which is not a designated port of entry, he entered the island and failed to report to immigration officers as required by law.

PC Chaitramsingh of the Immigration Department, San Fernando laid the charge.

Police prosecutor Sgt Sylvan told the court that on July 13, Central Division police officers arrested Yzaguirre. On July 26, he was taken to the Immigration Detention Centre. Chaitramsingh conducted enquires and discovered that there were no records of the foreigner entering the country at any of the lawful ports of entry.

Through the interpreter, Yzaguirre said that in his homeland there is “no work and no food.” Yzaguirre claimed he visited Trinidad with the hope of gaining employment.

The father of three is in a common-law relationship and his common– law wife is pregnant.

They are all in Venezuela.

Yzaguirre explained he has not seen family members for two months.