By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
An investigation by RCMP Federal Policing in Quebec has led to charges against two U.S. residents accused of organizing the illegal entry of over 50 migrants into Canada. The accused, William Lamadine, 36, of Niskayuna, New York, and Yaya Hassan Yaya Abderaman, 35, of Jersey City, New Jersey, were arrested at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing in September 2023. Authorities allege they used a bus service to transport the migrants over three months.
The pair face charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, including organizing illegal entry, conspiracy to organize entry, and conspiracy to bribe a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) employee. A request for their extradition to Canada is being considered.
“This is not a typical case that we see,” said RCMP Communications Officer Cpl. Martina Pillarova. She noted that cases involving over 50 people are unusual, adding, “We do not have, we are not accusing people from Canada. Those are people that are U.S. residents.”
According to the RCMP, human smuggling is a global criminal enterprise where individuals are charged significant sums to be transported across borders illegally. While cross-border migration patterns fluctuate, Pillarova emphasized that the overall situation remains stable. “We see illegal entries both ways, northbound and southbound, but there’s been no major shift in the last year,” she said.
RCMP detachments across Quebec are actively investigating human smuggling operations, including cases beyond this one. Investigators pursue not only those who cross illegally but also those orchestrating the operations behind the scenes. “If an investigation shows that someone was organizing the entry, there are additional charges like conspiracy,” Pillarova explained.
While public attention to border security has increased in recent years, the RCMP insists its mandate has remained unchanged. “The job that we are doing right now is not something new,” Pillarova said, noting that efforts to curb human smuggling have been ongoing for years, including before and after the closure of Roxham Road.
The RCMP urges anyone with information on illegal border activity to contact them at 514-939-8300 or their local police department.
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