CBP arrests two individuals for human smuggling, unlawful entry in New York

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stationed at the Port of Mooers in New York arrested two individuals on human smuggling and unlawful entry charges on Monday.

Lukasz Kabata, a 20-year-old male Canadian citizen, was charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York with human smuggling. Johan Lizeth Lopez-Suceda, an 18-year-old citizen of Mexico, was charged with unlawfully entering the country without inspection. Both individuals were turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service for further processing.

“CBP officers are trained to detect the signs of human smuggling,” Don Yando, acting port director for the Area Port of Champlain, said. “The arrest and apprehension is an excellent example of the vigilance of our officers and outstanding teamwork with border patrol to secure our border.”

CBP typically arrests 23 wanted individuals at air, land and sea ports of entry across the country every day. While the individuals were taken into custody, CBP said that criminal charges are merely allegations and that defendants are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border protection agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry.