“The investigation began a few months ago. Our officers were patrolling the border and intercepting refugees as well as criminals, and we realized that many of the individuals were connected,” RCMP Sergeant Hugo Lavoy said.
On Sunday, RCMP arrested two Turkish nationals allegedly involved in a smuggling scheme near Valley Field, which intercepted 11 Haitian refugees in two vehicles.
Earlier this month, police stopped a Cube truck, which was reported to be carrying 44 migrants planning to cross the border from the United States.
The migrants included a pregnant woman and four-year-old children. When police found them, they were dehydrated, “visibly distressed” and in cramped conditions. Four Turkish suspects were arrested and taken into custody.
Sergeant Lavoy said, “We believe they have contacts in the United States, and when the refugees arrive at the Canadian border, the people waiting for them are Turkish nationals.”
According to the RCMP, there are at least 15 incidents that can be linked to the same network.
The incident comes as the number of refugees arriving at Quebec’s borders continues to rise. Lavoy said the RCMP has had to change its priorities.
“We had to adapt to the situation. That’s why we currently have personnel 24/7 in Sherbrooke, Lacol and Wally Field,” he said.
Sergeant Lavoy said the difficult terrain creates challenges not only for the refugees, but also for the officers.
It makes it difficult for the RCMP and field police officers because they often reach the border at night. There is no lighting, no water, often no food supplies, clothing is not suitable for the weather and they are alone and have to cross the border.
He said that it is difficult to find the way in the dense forests and when the refugees suspect the police, they flee. So the refugees are trapped alone and then they are stopped.
Refugees who are not eligible to enter Canada are sent back to the United States
