Five people have been arrested in connection to a recent smuggling attempt across the St Clair River.
According to officials with the US Border Patrol, a vessel was spotted on the river near Algonac the night of February 20th.
Agents came across five people near where the vessel was seen heading towards the shoreline. All five admitted to having just crossed the border from Canada by boat. Two migrants were also found completely drenched and shivering, and told authorities they had fallen into the river while getting out of the boat.
“The smuggler tried to take advantage of darkness and freezing temperatures to mask his criminal activity. Bad people will go to great lengths to avoid arrest, placing themselves and others in danger. Thankfully, Detroit Sector agents and communication specialists are protecting our Nation around the clock, even in adverse weather,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley in a news release.
The five accused, including two from India, and one each from Nigeria, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, are being processed for US immigration violations.
The suspect from the Dominican is also being referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution of 8 USC 1326 Re-entry After Removal of an Aggravated Felon based on his prior immigration removals in addition to a documented history of drug trafficking.