Update|Haitians picked up at house in Ewarton remanded

The eight Haitians who were held by the police at a dwelling in Browns Town district in Ewarton, St Catherine and later charged with overstaying were remanded when they appeared in court today.

The four men and four women were ordered by presiding parish judge Denese Blackstock-Murray to return to court on January 13, 2026.

Attorney Denise Hinson told the court that two of the accused are desirous to plead guilty.

However, the judge was not minded to hear the application arising from immigration officers from the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) informing that another interpreter is required to deal with the matter.

It was also indicated in court that a further application regarding immigration will be made at the next hearing.

Further, in court today, a request to have the accused relocated to a facility in St Mary was not entertained by PICA as it is currently overcrowded with Haitians.

Allegations are that on December 14, cops from the St Catherine North Police Division, acting on intelligence, conducted an operation and the Haitians were picked up.

PICA was contacted and the group was subsequently charged with overstaying.

- Rasbert Turner

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