1. Human smuggling group tied to dead migrants in St. Lawrence River
2. Dismantled human smuggling group tied to deceased migrants in St. Lawrence River.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A human trafficking operation that was recently disrupted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been linked to the tragic deaths of eight migrants who drowned while attempting to cross the St. Lawrence River into the United States illegally last year.
The victims, comprising four individuals from India and four of Romanian descent, lost their lives in March 2023 during a perilous journey to cross into the United States through Akwesasne, a First Nations territory that spans Quebec, Ontario, and New York state. Their bodies were recovered from the river on March 30 and 31.
Following an intensive investigation, law enforcement officials announced on June 6 that they had apprehended four individuals, including the suspected mastermind, and issued warrants for four others. The group was allegedly part of a sophisticated human smuggling network that facilitated the illegal transportation of migrants into the United States, according to the RCMP.
Charges Laid Against Alleged Ringleader
Corporal Angelique Dignard, who oversees operational support for the RCMP’s detachment in Cornwall, Ontario, revealed that two of the accused individuals have been charged in connection with transporting the Indian family who tragically perished in the drowning incident.
The primary focus of the charges has been directed towards the alleged ringleader, 51-year-old Thesingarasan Rasiah from Montreal, who now faces a total of 36 charges. Another Montreal resident, 38-year-old Joel Portillo, was also arrested on 25 charges related to the smuggling operation.
Despite the significant progress in dismantling the smuggling ring, there are still four individuals at large who are wanted for their involvement in the illicit activities. Authorities are actively pursuing these suspects, including issuing arrest warrants for them.
Continued Efforts to Combat Human Smuggling
The RCMP’s ongoing investigation has revealed that approximately $1.4 million allegedly flowed through accounts linked to Rasiah over a one-year period, underscoring the financial motivations behind such criminal operations.
While the majority of the alleged organizers reside in Canada, the smuggled migrants predominantly hail from India, Romania, and Sri Lanka. Migrants were reportedly charged exorbitant fees for crossing the border illegally and obtaining falsified international travel documents.
Despite the arrests made, Cpl. Dignard acknowledged that combating human smuggling remains a challenging task and emphasized the importance of public collaboration in reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation continues, authorities are committed to prosecuting those responsible for exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking a better life through illegal means. The dismantling of this human smuggling ring serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illicit migration and the need for enhanced vigilance in safeguarding borders.
This report by The Canadian Press was originally published on June 15, 2024.
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– dismantled human smuggling group tied to dead migrants in St. Lawrence River
– RCMP investigation into dismantled human smuggling group tied to dead migrants in St. Lawrence River.
