Nov. 22 (UPI) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it captured 20 Romanian nationals illegally crossing from Canada into the United States.
Two of the people detained Tuesday had ties to international organized crime, Border Patrol officials said in a release Wednesday.
Officials said they were alerted to an illegal crossing involving four vehicles in Hodgdon, Maine, crossing over from Canada Tuesday morning.
“This incident is indicative of an overall rise in apprehensions witnessed here in Houlton Sector,” Acting Patrol Agent in Charge Dennis Harmon, said in a statement. “In the last three Octobers, Houlton Sector encountered a total of 33 individuals.”
Hodgdon is located in eastern Aroostook County near Canada’s New Brunswick province.
“In fiscal year 2024 alone, we’ve encountered 55. While this increase poses challenges to Border Patrol resources, it does not dissuade the great work done by our dedicated agents here in Houlton Sector.”
Officials said all 20 appeared to be “consistent” with family units with 10 adults and 10 juveniles.
“Two subjects were positive Transnational Criminal Organized Crime matches and were processed for Expedited Removal proceedings,” the officials said. “U.S. Border Patrol in Maine relies on the cooperation and assistance of the public.”
Border Patrol officials did not elaborate on the individuals connected to organized crime.
