CHATEAUGAY, New York – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Burke Border Patrol Station arrested five individuals in connection to a failed smuggling attempt on Thursday morning.
On March 3, Border Patrol agents were contacted by a concerned citizen who reported suspicious activity near the international boundary between the Unites States and Canada. Agents located a vehicle matching the description involved in the suspicious activity and conducted a stop.
During the vehicle stop, agents confirmed that the five passengers were citizens of Mexico, three who entered the United States illegally and not at a designated port of entry. All five, ranging from ages 21 to 34, were transported to the Border Patrol Station for processing and three were charged with Improper Entry by Alien in violation of 8 USC 1325.
The driver and passenger, both citizens of Mexico, were charged with Alien Smuggling in violation of 8 USC 1324. Alien smuggling is a felony, which carries a penalty of a fine and up to 5 years in prison for each violation.
“Fostering relationships and encouraging the public to report suspicious activity plays a critical role in helping secure our border,” said Burke Station’s Patrol Agent in Charge Richard Parker, “Border security is everyone’s responsibility, and thanks to community efforts and Burke agents, another smuggling attempt has been denied.”
The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. Citizens reporting suspicious activity is invaluable to the Border Patrol’s mission and we welcome community members’ information to help to keep our nation’s borders safe. To report suspicious activity in Swanton Sector, please call 1-800-689-3362.
For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.