Three men from Quebec face charges for allegedly smuggling people into the U.S. as Canada tightens border security measures
Montreal: Three guys from Quebec are in hot water for allegedly helping people sneak across the U.S. border. The RCMP announced the charges on Tuesday.
These men, aged 24 to 33, are facing conspiracy charges. They supposedly worked together to transport folks from Montreal to a spot on the Canada-U.S. border that isn’t monitored.
The investigation kicked off last December after a tip-off from the public. It turns out that temporary foreign workers were trying to get help from suspected smugglers to cross illegally.
According to the RCMP, each person was asked to cough up about $4,000 for the trip. The smugglers would drop them off and guide them via cell phone on how to get into the U.S.
This situation has caught attention, especially with the political climate in the U.S. The RCMP says the timing of the charges is just a coincidence, but it’s hard not to see the connection.
Experts believe this case shows Canada is serious about border security, especially with the new U.S. administration. It’s a way for Canada to prove it’s in control of its borders.
Public Safety Minister David McGuinty mentioned that Canada wants to show the U.S. it’s taking border security seriously. Arresting these guys is part of that message.
Law professor François Crépeau pointed out that while human smuggling is illegal, it’s often not as severe as human trafficking. He emphasized that the more restrictions there are on migration, the more smuggling will happen.
If found guilty, these men could face hefty fines and even life in prison. They were arrested earlier this year but have been released for now. Their next court date is set for February 4 in Montreal.
