Unable to get food to feed his three children as his country remains in turmoil, a Venezualan man sneaked into the country on a boat to buy food, but was caught and charged for entering the country illegally.
After Luis Benitez, 34, explained his situation yesterday, San Fernando Fourth Court Magistrate Indira Missir-Gosine gave him a chance and reprimanded and discharged him. This means that no conviction will be recorded against him.
The charge laid by Cpl Howard alleged that on Friday April 21 he illegally entered T&T.
Prosecutor Sgt Krishna Bedassie said on May 2 he was arrested by the South Western Task Force officers and handed over to the Immigration Division Enforcement Unit. Bedassie said a check revealed he left Trinidad on June 8, 2016 and there was no record of him coming back here. With the assistance of spanish translator Rachel Gosine, Benitez said he worked with the Venezuelan Social Security as an assistant administrator.
Asked what he was doing here, Benitez said: “Because of the situation in my country where we don’t have food and it is very, very hard. Ninety per cent of Venezuelan’s eat only twice for the day sometimes. I came here to get food to take for my family.”
Benitez, who has a common law wife and three daughters ages 16, 15 and four, said he entered through Icacos via boat.
After the matter, Benitez said to the magistrate: “A thousand thanks to you for your understanding.”
Immigration officers took Benitez into custody and arrangements will be made for him to be deported.
