19 Indians charged $3000.00 for overstaying in Dominica

Dominica: Nineteen Indians were charged $3000.00 for the punishment of overstaying in Dominica, local news reported. Nineteen Indians arrived at the Portsmouth Magistrate court on Monday, April 19, 2021.

According to the resources, the non-residents came to Dominica legally through Douglas Charles Airport between February 21, 2021, and March 21, 2021, and they were all given permits to live in Dominica for a period not surpassing more than three weeks.

But, on April 17, around 11.30 am, these 3 Indians were caught on the E.O Leblanc Highway at Dublanc on a tourist bus by members of the Border Patrol-Unit and officials attached to the local police station named-Colihaut Police Station.

During the interception, law enforcement observed that the bus was loaded with luggage, and each of the non-residents had their passport. An amount of US capital was also found in the vehicle.

Earlier, there was a similar incident in which 3 Dominicans board the vehicle, which was moving from the Southeast of the island travelling in Portsmouth, as the men planned to board a boat to leave Dominica illegally via sea. Then they were detained and later charged with overstaying.

At their court appearance, the Indians all pleaded sentenced to the charge, and the government presented the facts and tendered their passports as documentation in the case.

Following appeal moderation by their Counsel Wayne Norde, Chief Magistrate Candia Carrette- George required a fine of $3000.00 against each respondent to be paid immediately and, in default, two months confinement.

Furthermore, the accuser presented an application to the government to have the Indians withdrew from the State, which Norde objected to.

The following evidence by the prosecution and the defense, Magistrate Carrette-George, allowed the repatriation order. The Indians were commanded to be removed from Dominica after they paid their fines.

Local news reports disclosed that the Indians were incapable of paying their fines and will consequently spend the next two months at the Dominica State Prison.