DETROIT (WWJ) - Three foreign nationals where taken into custody after agents said they were caught in an alleged smuggling attempt on the St. Clair River.
Detroit Sector officials first became aware of a vessel crossing the international border in waters near Marine City around midnight on Sept. 5.
Dispatch officials monitoring the Remote Video Surveillance System saw the boat and altered nearby agents.
Officials said border patrol agents in Marysville were able to locate the boat where it made landfall and intercepted three men. While being interviewed, the trio admitted to agents that they had crossed the border from Canada
Agents identified the men as a a 37-year-old Spanish male, a 30-year-old Chilian Male, and a 34-year-old Brazilian male.
“Smugglers need to understand that our manpower integrated with technology affords us the operational advantage in these smuggling attempts and they will be stopped,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley in a prepared statement. “We will continue to degrade and dismantle these Transnational Criminal Organizations who attempt to exploit our border.”
Officials said the three individuals were processed for removal.