Eight Africa migrants arrested, driver charged with human smuggling near Manitoba-U.S. border

GRETNA, Man. — Mounties have charged a man with human smuggling and arrested eight African migrants near the Canada-U.S. border in Manitoba.

RCMP say officers and their U.S. counterparts became aware of a border incursion west of the port of entry at Gretna, Man., on Aug. 22.

They say the migrants were found walking north from the border, where they were picked up by a man driving a rental vehicle.

Police say officers stopped the vehicle and the eight people, ranging in age from 19 to 48, were arrested under the Customs Act and taken to the RCMP detachment in Emerson, Man.

Four men and one woman were from Chad, two men were from Sudan and one woman was from Guinea.

A 35-year-old Somali national living in Winnipeg has been charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and is to appear in court in October.

Sgt. Lance Goldau, head of the RCMP’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team, said police were able to interview all eight migrants with the help of officers who speak French and Arabic.

They have been turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency, he said.

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