A 31-year-old Winnipeg man is due to appear in Emerson Provincial Court on Thursday after being arrested by RCMP near the Canada–U.S. border last month.
According to the RCMP’s Federal Policing Northwest Region Media Unit, members of the Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) were working in collaboration with U.S. Border Patrol when a migrant crossing was detected about 10 kilometres west of Emerson, near the Rural Municipality of Montcalm.
Police say officers on patrol spotted a vehicle in the area that appeared to speed away after the driver noticed police. The vehicle was later intercepted and stopped, and information gathered during the stop led to the driver’s arrest.
Bereket Wondwes Wube has been charged with a counselling offence, contrary to Section 131 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
RCMP say four migrants were also found near the vehicle. They were arrested without incident and turned over to the Canada Border Services Agency in Emerson.
“From a humanitarian standpoint, encouraging people to use Canada’s official ports of entry is essential to protecting those who are most at risk,” said Inspector Mitch Tkachuk, officer in charge of the Manitoba Border Integrity Unit, in a statement. “Irregular crossings often push individuals into dangerous terrain or life-threatening winter conditions.”
Tkachuk added weather conditions at the time included limited visibility, moderate snowfall, and temperatures around –18 C with wind chill.
“By supporting travel through designated entry points, we help shield people from exploitation and ensure they are not forced into perilous situations while we work to safeguard both the border and the well-being of those seeking to enter Canada,” he said.
The investigation remains ongoing.