In a significant crackdown early Thursday morning, RCMP officers executed coordinated raids across Brampton and Montreal, arresting eight individuals suspected of involvement in a cross-border human smuggling operation.
Approximately 100 RCMP personnel from Ontario and Quebec participated in simultaneous searches targeting three homes in each city. Police apprehended seven men and one woman, all aged between 20 and 30, during the operation.
One Montreal residence raided by authorities is believed to have served as a “stash house,” where migrants were concealed before being illegally transported into the United States. The RCMP shared video footage of the arrests and searches on their social media channels, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Authorities disclosed that the suspected smuggling network used social media platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp, to advertise their illicit services to migrants attempting to enter the U.S. illegally.
Those arrested remain in custody and face potential charges related to human smuggling. The RCMP indicated that deportation proceedings could also be initiated against suspects who are not Canadian citizens.
Peel Regional Police declined to confirm if their officers assisted RCMP personnel during the raids conducted in Brampton. The RCMP has not yet publicly identified the accused.