Cuban national sent home after passport fraud

A Cuban national will have to leave Jamaica forthwith, providing she pays the fine she received yesterday in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court for forging a Jamaican passport.

Charged with forgery and uttering a forged document is 28-year-old Yamin Hernandez.

She pleaded guilty to both offences after she was afforded a translator by the court.

The court heard that on February 8, Hernandez forged a Jamaican passport in the name of another woman.

The court was told that Hernandez removed the photo of the true owner and inserted a picture of herself.

It is said that the forged document was later presented to the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) where the fraud was uncovered and a report made to the police.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey subsequently fined Hernandez $50,000 or six months for forgery and $30,000 or six months for uttering a forged document.

A fingerprint order was also made.

RM Pusey made it clear Hernandez was not being deported, but will have to leave the island.