While noting four separate successes against human smuggling in the past two weeks, the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) in Maine recently called on the general public for help to stop further illicit border activities.
Despite a vast border area, USBP contended that it simply lacks the manpower to address or catch every bit of suspicious activity on its own. The agency has approximately 200 agents patrolling 611 miles of land and river border in the region, known as the Houlton Sector.
“Organized, criminal human smuggling is a problem that challenges law enforcement here in the U.S. and internationally.” William Maddocks, USBP Houlton Sector Chief Patrol Agent, said. “The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol, who work day and night to disrupt this criminal activity, depend on the support and cooperation of the public by reporting suspicious activity in and around the border.”
Between April 22 and May 2, 2023, the USBP managed to arrest 19 people for various violations of Title 19 – the section of U.S. code covering customs and duties. In these cases, charges of improper entry, illegal reentry, and human smuggling were doled out, along with fines of $5,000 for the improper entry efforts. Subjects were subject to removal proceedings, and a total of four vehicles were seized in the process.
USBP has asked locals to report suspicious activity so it can review and take action as necessary, in line with its long-running “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign.