WINDSOR, Ont. – Two truck drivers from Quebec are facing multiple charges after allegedly trying to smuggle 11 people over the United States border into Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency says the truckers were stopped at the Ambassador Bridge crossing into Ontario while carrying a load of produce last month.
The agency says the men aroused suspicion after failing to declare anything other than the produce shipment despite being away for a week.
It says agents searched the truck and found 11 foreign nationals from an unspecified country hidden in the sleeper area of the vehicle. The agency declined to provide details on their country of origin, only saying they were returned to the U.S. and were not charged with any offences.
READ MORE: Ontario man, 3 foreign nationals arrested in human smuggling attempt
The two men, aged 42 and 50, are now facing 23 charges each under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. They include 11 counts of counselling, 11 counts of misrepresentation and withholding material facts, and one count of impeding an officer.
Both men are currently free on bail and are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 23.
“CBSA officers are highly trained in interrogation, examination and investigative techniques,” said Rick Comerford, CBSA Regional Director General for southern Ontario. “This successful interception displays their ability to determine when a secondary examination is required and their commitment to ensuring that our borders are not used for illegal activity.”
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