CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested two on human smuggling and unlawful entry charges near the Port of Mooers, N.Y., on Monday.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York charged Lukasz Kabata, age 20, a male Canadian citizen, with human smuggling [8 USC 1324 (a)(2)(A)], and charged Johan Lizeth, Lopez-Suceda, 18, a citizen of Mexico, with unlawfully entering the U.S. without inspection [8 USC 1325].
Both subjects were remanded into custody of U.S. Marshals Service.
CBP Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers initially encountered Kabata at the Mooers Port of Entry as the sole occupant of a vehicle. Officers referred Kabata to a secondary examination where a search detected a possible illegal border-crossing attempt. Officers discovered a quantity of female clothing and U.S. immigration documents issued in another person’s name. CBP officers immediately notified U.S. Border Patrol agents.
During a subsequent search, Border Patrol agents received a citizen tip and encountered Lopez-Suceda less than one mile from the port of entry. Border Patrol agents determined that Lopez-Suceda was the subject of their search and apprehended her for unlawful entry into the U.S.
“CBP officers are trained to detect the signs of human smuggling,” said Acting Port Director Don Yando, from the Area Port of Champlain. “The arrest and apprehension is an excellent example of the vigilance of our officers, and outstanding teamwork with Border Patrol to secure our border.”
“The Border Patrol mission to secure the border between the Ports of Entry cannot be accomplished without integrating our operations with our Customs and Border Protection partners as well as with the border community. This arrest exemplifies the team approach to border security that is necessary to be successful,” said Patrol Agent in Charge Norman Lague of the Champlain Border Patrol Station.
On average, CBP arrests 23 wanted persons every day at air, land and sea ports of entry across the United States. View CBP Snapshot to learn some of what CBP achieves ‘On a Typical Day.’
One objective of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Strategic Plan is to engage the public to assist us in securing America’s borders. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity in the border area to the U.S. Border Patrol at 1-800-689-3362.
For more on CBP’s mission at our nation’s Ports of Entry with CBP officers, and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the CBP’s Border Security website.
Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.