Bolivian on fraud charges

Lozado, 46, was also charged with one count of trafficking counterfeit money as well as one count of illegal money transfer of $20,000 through Western Union Money Transfer to someone in Bolivia.

Lozado, who was aided by an interpreter in court, was also charged with being in possession of several large quantities of cash in Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Eastern Caribbean, Bolivian and Paraguay currency which he knew was criminal property, and possession of marijuana.

It is alleged that the criminal acts took place between October 3 to November 10, at various banking locations in Maraval, Diego Martin and Glencoe. His lawyer’s application for bail was denied by the chief magistrate after prosecutors argued he was a flight risk and had no fixed place of abode in Trinidad.

Lozado, who has two children, was staying at Monique’s Guest House in Maraval, and arrived in Trinidad in September.

His passport is being held by the Fraud Squad Office and Lozado is expected to return to court on December 1. The Bolivian national was held on November 10 at a guest house in Maraval and instructions to charge him was given by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC, on Wednesday.

The Transnational Organised Crime Unit assisted by the Fraud Office worked on the case.