Immigration Charges Against Businessman Nelson Gomez Dismissed

All fourteen immigration charges against San Pedro businessman Nelson Raynaldo Gomez have been dismissed after a magistrate upheld a no-case submission in court on Thursday.

Gomez, 38, owner of VIP Bar in the Emerald area of San Pedro Town, had been accused of employing 14 undocumented Honduran women without valid work permits. The charges stemmed from a joint police and immigration raid on his establishment, during which the women were detained.

The case was handed over to the Immigration Department, which later charged Gomez with 14 counts of employing persons without permits.

The court found that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the women were working at the bar.

His business had remained closed following the raid and the revocation of his trade licence.