SHERBROOKE, Friday, December 7, 2007 – The Stanstead Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET), Estrie Detachment Customs and Excise Section and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) conducted a targeted operation on December 4, 5 and 6, 2007 which resulted in the arrest of eleven alleged illegal immigrants and two alleged alcohol smugglers, all of whom entered Canada illegally through Stanstead.
A first group of four alleged illegal immigrants were intercepted on December 4, 2007 in a rental vehicle registered in Florida, as they were attempting to go through Ball Street. Three more alleged illegal immigrants were arrested while attempting to enter Canada illegally also via Ball Street in a rental vehicle registered in Virginia.
The next day, on December 5, 2007, four more alleged illegal immigrants were arrested as they drove on Ball Street in a rental vehicle registered in Florida. All these individuals were handed over to CBSA officers.
Finally, also on December 5, 2007, federal officers intercepted a vehicle with two occupants who allegedly attempted to smuggle alcohol into Canada via Ball Street. Inside the vehicle, officers found 222 1.75-litre bottles of alcohol and three 750-ml bottles purchased in New Hampshire.
Border Security: A Priority
The RCMP wishes to reiterate that border security is a priority. The RCMP will continue to deploy its resources at various strategic locations along the border between Canada and the United States to target transborder criminal activities and protect the interests of Canada.
Intelligence-led Investigations
IBETs are intelligence-led teams of investigators who target illicit activities occurring mainly between points of entry. IBETs key partners are the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada Border Services Agency, U.S. Border Patrol, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Coast Guard. Other partners support IBET efforts locally, for instance the Sûreté du Québec, Vermont State Police, Newport Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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For information:
Communications Office
514-939-8308
