The suspected smuggler A pregnant migrant who drowned while attempting to cross the Canada-U.S. border in December has just been arrested in Saint-Hyacinthe pending extradition to the United States.
Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar, 35, was arrested at his home last week by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at the request of American authorities.
According to them, Uribe-Tobar is said to have demanded $2,500 from Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores to illegally cross the border to the south. However, the latter died while trying to cross a river.
Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores died on December 11 while attempting to cross the Canada-U.S. border. Facebook Ana Vasquez
The Mexican wanted to join her partner Miguel Mojarro-Magana in the United States, according to court documents seen by Le Journal.
The latter therefore watched a video on the TikTok platform that promoted illegal border crossings between Canada and the USA and then sent a private message to “Jaime Garcia”. The account, which is followed by almost 700 people, belongs to Uribe-Tobar, according to American authorities.
The alleged smuggler allegedly told Mr Mojarro-Magana that his wife would have to walk between two and a half and three hours to cross the border, we can read in text messages presented as evidence. However, this journey would have to be completed alone, as a smuggler would only guide them through embassies.
A deadly journey
On December 11, Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores was finally returned near the border in Montérégie. Authorities believe Uribe-Tobar was behind the wheel.
Once at the border, the suspected smuggler showed him where to go and cross the river. At the same time, the victim sent him his location in real time, which we can read in further messages.
Ms. Vasquez-Flores never received the last text message sent by Uribe-Tobar at 6:17 p.m. According to the American authorities, she drowned.
Her body was finally recovered three days later a few kilometers from Roxham Road by border officials who had been alerted by her husband (see map).
Not a premiere
The Saint-Hyacinthe resident had already been intercepted by RCMP officers last September while transporting four Mexican migrants. However, he was released at that time.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers patrol the Canada-US border. Joël Lemay Archives / QMI Agency
However, relatives of Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar who met at his home are having difficulty explaining what is happening to him.
“He is innocent. We will prove it with the evidence we have,” responded a woman through the door who refused to open the door for our representative.
Uribe-Tobar will return to the Montreal courthouse on January 12 for his bail hearing pending his extradition hearing.
– In collaboration with Jonathan Tremblay
Highlights
- In 2023, nine more people died trying to reach the United States from Canada.
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