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  4. Swanton, VT Border Patrol arrests Montreal Resident after Failed Human Smuggling Attempt

Swanton, VT Border Patrol arrests Montreal Resident after Failed Human Smuggling Attempt

Release Date
Mon, 12/05/2016

SWANTON, Vt. – Swanton, Vt., U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Canadian resident Daniel Larmand, 52, on human smuggling allegations near Alburgh, Vt., on Friday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont is prosecuting Larmand, who appeared on Monday in U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vt., on a charge of alien smuggling.  If convicted, Larmand faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. See USAO-VT’s press release.

Border Patrol agents also detained a Greek national who Larmand is alleged to have helped illegally enter the United States.

“These arrests are a direct result of the coordinated efforts between Swanton Sector agents and our law enforcement partners to disrupt human smuggling while securing our nation’s northern border,” said Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer.

According to the criminal complaint that was filed in court on Monday, Border Patrol agents, with assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, witnessed a green, older model sport utility-type vehicle approach the United States border late Friday afternoon.  The vehicle stopped just north of the border and discharged a passenger, who then illegally walked across the border into the United States near Alburgh.

Border Patrol agents from Swanton, Vt., Border Patrol Station patrol the northern border in this file photo.
Border Patrol agents from Swanton, Vt.,
Border Patrol Station patrol the northern
border.

The Swanton Border Patrol Sector Tactical Communications Center dispatched agents from the Champlain, N.Y., and Swanton Border Patrol Stations to the area, and within minutes, agents located the illegal entrant.  Border Patrol agents determined the person to be a Greek national.

Meanwhile, Larmand entered the United States at the Alburgh Port-of-Entry and arrived at the location where Border Patrol agents detained the illegal alien.  While Border Patrol agents questioned Larmand, the Greek national allegedly identified Larmand as the person who helped smuggle him into the United States.

Border Patrol agents arrested Larmand on human smuggling charges.

Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The alien remains in Border Patrol custody as a material witness.  The alien faces removal from the United States and a bar to reentry for being illegally present in the U.S.

The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. The assistance of citizens is invaluable to the Border Patrol's border security mission and we welcome community members' help to keep our nation’s borders safe. Please report suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021