Alleged smuggler charged with assaulting police officer at Canada-U.S. border

A Quebec, Canadian, and American flag fly at the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, Canada, on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.

A patrol officer is injured after intercepting a vehicle belonging to an alleged migrant smuggler at the Canada-U.S. border.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) explains that the incident happened on the night of June 2.

“Following a tip from the United States Border Patrol (USBP), a search operation was launched in the Noyan area in the Montérégie to locate five individuals who had just crossed the border illegally,” the RCMP said.

The force notes that a patrol officer with the Champlain Detachment’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) intercepted the vehicle, but “the driver allegedly failed to stop and deliberately rammed the door of the police vehicle, injuring the officer in the process. The driver then fled the scene.”

Soon after, five people were arrested and turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

“Human smuggling is a criminal enterprise that spans the globe,” the RCMP emphasized.

“Smugglers facilitate the entry of people into Canada or the United States by illegal means, while making a profit from them. By charging their passengers large sums of money to transport them, human smugglers have turned illegal migration into a lucrative business.”

Suspect in custody

As a result, one man, Chetan Kumar, 25, is facing charges of assaulting a peace officer, dangerous operation and failure to stop after an accident.

The accused remains in custody until his expected court appearance by videoconference on June 5.

Anyone with information about illegal activities is encouraged to contact the RCMP at 514-939-8300 or 1-800-771-5401, or visit their local police station.