Human smuggling operation busted in Metro Detroit after boat crosses from Canada to US; 5 in custody

(WWJ) — Four people are in American custody and another is being held by Canadian authorities after an attempted human smuggling operation was busted up by U.S. Border Patrol agents last month.

On June 25 agents from the Marysville Border Patrol Station arrested four people after seeing a boat that came from the Canadian side of the St. Clair River make landfall on U.S. shores.

The vessel dropped off three passengers who then got into a waiting vehicle, according to a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. The three passengers and the driver of the car were arrested, but officials did not say where.

The person operating the vessel returned to Canada and was arrested through collaborative efforts between U.S. and Canadian law enforcement partners.

Officials said the three passengers who were dropped off had previously been deported from the U.S., as they were charged with re-entry after removal.

The driver of the car has been charged with alien smuggling.

The pilot of the vessel will appear in court in Sarnia, Canada, on Sept. 10.

Authorities have not released the names or ages of anyone involved and the nationalities of the smuggled passengers were not disclosed.

“Our commitment to our community’s safety was on full display here. Using all our assets we were able to end a smuggling operation,” said Chief Patrol Agent John R. Morris of the Detroit Border Patrol Sector. “These arrests display the great teamwork between our Border Patrol agents, Air and Marine operators, and our Canadian law enforcement partners.”

Officials are asking anyone with information on suspicious activity to call the Detroit Sector Border Patrol Border Watch at 1-800-537-3220.