A MAGISTRATE yesterday questioned the inability of law enforcement officers to find the "bigger fish" helping people enter the country illegally.

San Fernando Magistrate Alicia Chankar made the comment as three Venezuelan women appeared before her, charged with illegal entry into Trinidad and Tobago.

Brenda Yanez, 27, Daremyer Moreno, 20, and Mayra Vallejo, 23, pleaded guilty to entering the country on Friday, at a place other than an authorised port of entry. They also failed to report to Immigration authorities. The women were found at a pub in La Romaine.

"It is unfortunate that you found yourselves in this situation, but we really need to find the bigger fish than these people who are vulnerable. I told Immigration to do something about this but I don't know why there cannot be a nexus to find the people who are bringing in these people (illegal immigrants)," Chankar said.

The women told the court they came by boat from Venezuela with another woman, with the intention to work.

Defence attorney Ainsley Lucky said his clients were victims of a hoax. He said they were told they were coming to do domestic work and were at the bar waiting to meet the contact, who had to direct them to the job.

"This incident speaks to the exploitation of vulnerable women ... They took the proverbial chance and fell prey to the circumstances," he said.

Moreno is the mother of a three-year-old and Yanez said she had two children. They spoke through Spanish interpreter Yola de Figaro.

"Even though the court understands there are certain situations, the court cannot condone this," the magistrate said.

Chankar fined the women $5,000 each. The money had to be paid immediately or the women will spend one year in prison.

Yanez and Moreno cried during the proceedings.