Three Cuban nationals and a driver were caught trying to cross into Canada from the U.S. illegally on April 13.
The incident happened on the Fort Erie train bridge, where a car was waiting for the migrants on the Canadian side, according to a May 1 news release by the RCMP.
One was caught right away, while another ran but was later caught. The third migrant got into the car and tried to drive away, nearly hitting several Niagara-on-the-Lake RCMP officers.
The driver of the car, Yenny Justo and one of the migrants, Alexander Cardenas, turned themselves in on April 23.
Cardenas was sent back to the U.S. because he was not allowed to enter Canada. Justo, Cardenas’s wife, was arrested and is facing charges for dangerous operation of a conveyance, conspiracy and failure to report under the Customs Act.
Justo was held for a bail hearing in St. Catharines court and was granted release on April 28, said the RCMP in an email to The Lake Report.
No injuries were reported among the officers or the migrants, but a witness sustained minor injuries, which did not require medical attention.
The RCMP did not disclose the cause of the witness’ injuries but said that the witness was a Cuban national who endured “superficial injuries as a result of the flight from the scene,” the email states.
The RCMP was also unable to provide the names of the other two migrants or explain when, where and how the second migrant was caught.
It did explain anyone caught trying to cross into Canada illegally from the U.S. is turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency, processed under the Canadian immigration and refugee protection law. And then, arrested individuals are returned to the U.S.
The RCMP said the foreign nationals were returned to “Niagara/Buffalo.”
Since early Janurary, the RCMP has stepped up enforcement efforts by patrolling the railway bridge 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to combat illegal activity at the border.
“The RCMP have arrested several people attempting to make illegal entry into Canada since this new presence was initiated,” the release states. The RCMP said there have been attempts in both northbound and southbound directions.
Names are not publicly available right now.
This around-the-clock coverage includes land, water and air patrols, as well as a constant presence between Ontario ports of entry.
The RCMP said this full-time coverage is still in place and is expected to continue. It said these patrols help it work closely with nearby police services and the border services agency, which makes stopping illegal crossings and catching them easier.
“We see this preventing illegal migrants from crossing into Canada,” said the RCMP in the email.
