KINGSTON, Jamaica – Two Cubans were fined a total of $180,000 for charges relating to overstaying their visit to Jamaica and forgery, when they appeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish, on Tuesday.

The two accused, Rosa Ramos and Babaro Mormigo, visited the island on September 23, 2022 on the condition that they would remain in the island no longer than September 26, 2022. It was revealed that they were both found on the island after that date.

Ramos, a restaurant manager, and Mormigo, a mechanic, through a translator, both pleaded guilty to the charges of overstaying their visit, possession of a forged driver’s licence, possession of a forged deed poll documents supported by birth certificates, conspiracy to obtain a Jamaican birth certificate, attempting to obtain passports by forged document, making a false declaration on a passport application, and two counts of uttering forged document.

The court was told by the translator that Ramos and Mormigo entered the country to purchase a generator and food supply because the living conditions in Cuba are not desirable. It was also revealed that they were living in Ocho Rios, St Ann, before they were caught.

Expressing her understanding of the circumstances which led to them committing these offences, Senior Parish Judge, Lori-Ann Cole-Montague said, “They have breached our laws, but the court takes into account why they did what they did.”

The judge added that a fine would be imposed for the offences, and they were both $8,000 or three months imprisonment for overstaying their visit, $40,000 each or six months imprisonment for the two counts of possession of forged documents, $30,000 each or six months imprisonment for the two counts of uttering forged documents. Another $40,000 or six months imprisonment was imposed for making a false declaration on a passport application. However, for the offences of conspiracy to commit forgery and attempting to obtain a passport by forged document, Ramos and Mormigo were admonished and discharged.

It was also revealed by their attorney that a flight was already booked for Ramos and Mormigo to be deported on Thursday.

After handing down the $180,000 fine, Cole Montague wished them, “All the best.”