Colombian fishermen charged with illegal entry

Two Colombian fishermen who are charged with illegal entry were remanded when they appeared in the St Catherine Parish Court last Friday.

Carlos Jose Flores, 37, and Jose Luis Fariette 36, of Riohacha, appeared before Senior Parish Court Judge Desiree Alleyne. The court heard that there were outstanding immigration documents required before they can depart the island.

Denzil Gordon of the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency told the judge that when they were held, they didn't have any form of identity information and that collaborative efforts are being made to get closure.

Attorney-at-law Denise Hinson told the court that the men need to be transferred to the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, as their inability to speak English is an impediment. Hinson told the court that Horizon's facilities are equipped with the resources to accomodate the foreigners. The police said checks would be made to have the matter addressed.

Allegations are that about 5 a.m. on September 27, the men were spotted in Hellshire, St Catherine. A police team went in pursuit of them, but the men were not held until 9 p.m., some 16 hours later, after a Jamaica Defence Force helicopter joined the search. When held, the accused reportedly revealed that they inadvertently drifted into Jamaican waters.

The matter will again be mentioned on November 3.