Pregnant Woman and Children Found Among Cramped, Dehydrated Group

MONTREAL – NATIONAL NEWS — A joint operation between the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), RCMP, and Sûreté du Québec has resulted in the arrest of three men following the shocking discovery of 44 foreign nationals crammed inside a cube van near Stanstead, Quebec, early Sunday morning.

The migrants, including a pregnant woman and children as young as four, were found in deplorable, air-deprived, and dehydrated conditions, raising alarms about the dangerous methods being used in human smuggling operations along the Canada–U.S. border.

“There wasn’t a lot of air for them to breathe, no one had any water, and with the kids and the tight space they couldn’t sit on the ground, they had to stand,” said RCMP spokesperson Charles Poirier in a statement to media. “Just horrific conditions, really.”

Arrests and Charges

The CBSA has confirmed that Ogulcan Mersin (25), Dogan Alakus (31), and Firat Yuksek (31) have been arrested and charged under multiple provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act:

• Inducing, aiding or abetting others to commit immigration offences

• Assisting foreign nationals in entering Canada outside of a designated port of entry

All three remain in custody and are scheduled to return to court on Wednesday. The CBSA says the investigation remains active, and more charges could be forthcoming.

Dangerous Border Crossing Tactics

Authorities say the group of 44 had crossed the U.S.–Canada border on foot, walking for roughly two hours before being picked up by the truck near Stanstead. The journey was arduous, and the vehicle offered little to no ventilation, contributing to the dehydration and distress observed among passengers.

“If the truck had been in a collision or if the migrants were trapped without air… we’re very lucky none of that happened,” added Poirier. “We’re actually really happy that the tip we received was reliable, and that we managed to rescue them.”

Migrants Primarily of Haitian Origin

According to RCMP, the majority of the migrants were Haitian nationals. While their lives were not deemed to be in immediate danger, the situation could have turned tragic.

Most of the individuals were transferred to the CBSA’s refugee processing centre in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, where they are undergoing immigration examinations. The fate of a few others remains unclear, with the CBSA citing privacy legislation.

Broader Context: Migrant Flows Increasing

This case is the largest single human smuggling intercept Quebec authorities have encountered this year. It highlights a concerning trend of increasingly risky smuggling tactics, particularly as pressure grows along traditional border routes.

Authorities are now evaluating whether other smuggling operations may be employing similar high-risk transportation strategies.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact the RCMP or CBSA.