Man accused of helping 6 migrants cross Canada-U.S. border into Manitoba

A Winnipeg man has been charged with human smuggling after five migrants from various parts of Africa and a permanent resident of Canada were arrested for allegedly illegally crossing the U.S. border into Canadanearly two weeks ago, Manitoba RCMP say.

Semere Haile, 42, was charged after he was found driving six people, including their luggage, east of the Canada Border Services Agency's port of entry in Emerson, Man., on Sept. 28, RCMP said in a news release on Wednesday.

Mounties and the United States Border Patrol became aware of the group around 10:35 p.m., police said.

The passengers in the vehicle, who are 30 to 53 years old, are from Sudan, Chad, Mauritania and one is a permanent resident of Canada.

They were arrested under the Customs Act and were taken to the Canada Border Services Agency for processing.

The driver was released from custody on several conditions and went to Winnipeg provincial court on Monday, RCMP said.