The trio were not required to plea to the indictable charge when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and were remanded for trafficking four Venezuelan Nationals in the North West District.
June Williams and her husband, Lawrence Williams along with businesswoman Arita Gould called “Molly” were all separately charged with the offence. The matter was held in camera.
The charges allege that between November 1st, 2017, to May 31st, 2018, at the Mazaruni River they engaged in the trafficking of persons whereby they recruited, transported and harboured four Venezuelan nationals for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates’ Court.
According to reports, Williams operates a Hotel and bar in the area and Gould is a shop owner. It is alleged that women would be harbored at the Hotel and would be forced into prostitution. The four Venezuelan nationals are currently in protective custody.