A recent investigation led by the RCMP has resulted in the dismantling of a human smuggling ring that was linked to the deaths of eight migrants who drowned in the St. Lawrence River while attempting to cross illegally into the United States. The tragic incident took place in March 2023 in Akwesasne, a First Nations territory that spans Quebec, Ontario, and New York state. Four individuals from India and four from Romania lost their lives during the crossing. These individuals were identified as members of the Chaudhari family from India and the Iordache family from Romania. The body of an Akwesasne resident, Casey Oakes, was also found in connection with the case.
On June 6, the police announced that they had arrested four individuals, including the alleged ringleader Thesingarasan Rasiah, and issued warrants for four others who were part of the human smuggling ring. Charges have been laid against all individuals believed to be involved in the smuggling operation, effectively putting an end to the group’s activities. However, it has not been confirmed whether the network was responsible for smuggling the Romanian family who also perished in the incident. Rasiah, who faces a total of 36 charges, was already in custody for failing to comply with bail conditions from a previous human smuggling investigation.
The investigation revealed that approximately $1.4 million allegedly transited through accounts linked to Rasiah over a one-year period, highlighting the financial aspect of the smuggling operation. Other individuals, including Joel Portillo from Montreal, were also arrested on multiple charges related to organizing and aiding people in entering Canada and the United States illegally. Despite the arrests, four individuals wanted for their involvement in the group are still at large. Authorities continue to search for these suspects, including an alleged organizer and two secondary transporters.
The smuggled migrants primarily came from India, Romania, and Sri Lanka and were charged significant amounts of money for crossing the border illegally and obtaining international travel documents. The smuggling activities were centered around Akwesasne, which is known to be a popular spot for both human and contraband smugglers due to its geographic location. It is hoped that the arrests made in connection with this case will serve as a deterrent to others involved in human smuggling and encourage the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities. However, it is acknowledged that the crime of human smuggling is likely to persist, and law enforcement will continue to investigate and crackdown on such activities.
Despite the efforts of the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies, the Canadian Border Services Agency, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the matter. The tragic deaths of the migrants who perished in the St. Lawrence River serve as a somber reminder of the dangers and consequences associated with human smuggling operations. The dismantling of the smuggling ring responsible for the deaths of these individuals is a significant step towards preventing future tragedies and holding those involved in such criminal activities accountable for their actions.
