Wagner Dos Santos Machado, 24, appeared before Magistrate Renee McKay.
According to immigration officials, on Friday May 12, immigration officers discovered Machado working as a bartender at the Plantation Hill Restaurant in western New Providence.
This was one of latest moves to prosecute foreign nationals for violating Bahamian immigration laws, as officials try to seek out persons who are taking advantage of the system.
According to authorities, two immigration officers entered Plantation Hill, sat down at the bar and placed a drink order with the accused. Machado allegedly processed the order, received the payment from the officers and carried on as a normal employee.
The officers, who were in uniform, then reportedly identified themselves and presented their identification badges and questioned the accused about his legal status in the country. Machado provided a residency card, but no work permit, raising the suspicions of officers, according to authorities.
Machado then reportedly told the officers that the owner of the establishment was in the process of “getting that straight.” According to court documents the accused was then cautioned and taken to the Cable Beach Police Station where he was released on a $500 police bail.
During the arraignment, Machado denied working in The Bahamas illegally. He told the court that he was only doing the owner of the establishment a favour.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence, but later changed his plea to guilty after the charge was read to him a second time. Magistrate McKay adjourned the matter to June 7.
The magistrate then granted the Brazilian a $3,000 bail and she recommended that he be deported once the matter is concluded.
By: Stephen Gay, The Bahama Journal
