Pilot denies involvement in trafficking in persons
-says will turn himself over to police
Pilot and businessman, Orlando Charles, has condemned the Guyana Police Force report and wanted bulletin alleging his involvement in trafficking in persons. However, as requested, he says he will be presenting himself to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Charles stated in a press release that he was made aware of the Guyana Police Force issuing a wanted bulletin for him. He then called the number listed on the wanted bulletin but it went unanswered. He has retained attorney Sanjeev Datadin to represent him. Charles said that with the assistance of the attorney, he contacted Assistant Superintendent Caesar at the Criminal Investigation Department.
Charles described himself as a pilot and businessman who works on several building projects countrywide. He said that he had a salary dispute with 30 of his employees and that a settlement had been reached. However, some people had requested more money and that dialogue is ongoing.
According to the pilot, he had nothing to do with transporting persons to Guyana or controlling their movements and by extension, where they were employed. He explained that he was contacted by the police in Bartica, they requested a statement from him and he promised to provide one. Charles was released on station bail and he then reported back to the station as required.
He said that it was therefore quite surprising to learn from the media that he was
accused by his workers of trafficking in persons. Charles added that he learned that the men (workers) and the cook were at a restaurant in Bartica discussing their grievances over food and drink when they were approached by members of an organisation. The representatives suggested to the men that the wages dispute could be classified as ‘trafficking’ and they (the organisation) would assist them in getting paid.
Charles added that to the best of his knowledge, the organisation is supposed to deal with problems of trafficking in persons (TIP) with a focus on the exploitation of children and sex workers, so therefore he doesn’t believe that a wages dispute should be classified as trafficking.
“I did not transport these workers to Guyana nor have I ever been in control of their documents,” Charles declared.
The Guyana Police Force issued a wanted bulletin yesterday for Charles for questioning in relation to trafficking persons. On Monday, a police report was issued stating that Charles is slated to be charged with 16 counts of trafficking in persons, following legal advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP.)
The police say that between November 01, 2022 and May 18, 2023, Charles trafficked 16 Venezuelan nationals between the Mazaruni River in Region Seven, and Georgetown.