Six Indians aged 19-21 years were arrested by the U.S. border authorities after being caught on a sinking boat in regards to a failed smuggling attempt early Thursday morning.
In a statement on Thursday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said that with help from the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, and the (HAVFD) Hogansburg-Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Massena Border Patrol Station arrested seven individuals during a failed attempt to be smuggled from Canada into America.
Six of these youngsters are Indian citizens and have been charged with Improper Entry by an Alien in violation of U.S. law. The seventh one is a U.S. citizen and is charged with Alien Smuggling, and carries up to 10 years in prison, including a fine.
Last week, suspicious activity was reported to the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service about a boat containing several persons traveling from Canada toward the USA. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department, Border Patrol agents, and the HAVFD arrived on the scene to find the reported boat almost entirely underwater.
One of the offenders had managed to jump the sinking boat and made his way to the seashore. The HAVFD arranged a boat and was able to recover the other six subjects. Authorities reported no life jackets or other safety equipment on the sinking boat.
Medical professionals examined all seven individuals on the boat and treated them for hypothermia as the water temperature was just above freezing. After the treatment, they were arrested by Border Patrol agents and shifted to the Border Patrol Station for further proceedings.
