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July 8, 2008

Alleged smuggling on Lake Champlain nets federal charges

Canadians, one found hiding under a mattress, found aboard 27-foot pleasure boat

By STEPHEN BARTLETT

CHAMPLAIN -- Three Canadians face federal charges in what U.S. Customs and Border Protection is calling a "maritime smuggling attempt."

One man is less a 27-foot pleasure boat after law-enforcement officers found two people hiding in the vessel, one under a mattress.

On July 5, Border Patrol personnel were conducting a joint maritime-enforcement operation with New York State Police and the Clinton County Sheriff's Department at the newly opened Rouses Point boat-inspection dock.

At around 4 p.m., Robert Bernier, 45, of Longueuil, Quebec, applied for entry into the United States. The captain of a 27-foot pleasure boat allegedly told officers he was traveling alone.

But a canine officer inspecting the boat alerted officers to the sleeping area where they reportedly found Erika David, 27, of Pierrefonds, Quebec, under a mattress. Officers then located Jessy Tremblay, 39, of Montreal, hiding in a cubbyhole.

All three were taken into custody and transported to the Champlain Port of Entry for processing.

Bernier told officers the passengers hid because they lacked proper entry documentation.

Bernier was charged with alien smuggling. David and Tremblay were charged with attempted illegal entry into the United States without inspection.

Officers seized the boat for being used to aid in an alleged smuggling attempt.

The three Canadians are being held in the Clinton County Holding Facility pending arraignment.

"The arrests over the weekend demonstrate CBP's vigilance in protecting all of our borders -- land, sea and air," James T. Engleman, Buffalo-based Customs and Border Protection director of field operations, said in a news release.

"This new initiative focusing on private vessels demonstrates the excellent working relationship between CBP and our state and local law-enforcement partners in the North Country."

sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

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