Human smugglers use TikTok to promote illegal border crossings from Canada to US: Report



Human smugglers are reportedly using social media platforms to brazenly advertise their illegal border crossing services from Canada to the United States.

The New York Post reported on Saturday that it discovered several TikTok accounts created by smugglers in Canada to promote their illicit trafficking businesses. While some accounts have been quickly reported and removed, new ones continue to appear on the platform, the outlet noted.

'The service was outstanding.'

The report found that smugglers charge foreign nationals up to $5,000 for illegally crossing into the U.S. One social media post obtained by the outlet claimed to offer the "cheapest" price at $4,000.

The Post contacted a smuggler who stated that the illegal crossing service would cost $4,500 per person to travel from Montreal to New York.

"When you ready to go, send me your ID," the smuggler told the news outlet. He also advertised a "group walk" to help five foreign nationals illegally enter the U.S.

The advertisements primarily target Indian nationals, the news outlet stated.

A TikTok post from one account read, "CAD to USA."

"Montreal to New York," it continued. "Same day entry."

The post, which featured a photograph of four men and an image of an American flag, promised that the illegal journey would be "100 percent safe," boasting a "safe route" into the U.S.

It also stated that foreign nationals could pay after reaching their destination.

The Post reported that another social media post similarly read, "Payment after reach."

"100% safe," it added.

The smuggler services reportedly depart from Montreal; Brampton, roughly 30 miles outside of Toronto; and Surrey, approximately 22 miles from Vancouver.

Foreign nationals can be dropped off in upstate New York or Washington, according to the posts.

One smuggler detailed the journey as a two-hour car ride followed by a 25-minute walk through the forest before reaching New York.

The social media accounts included testimonials from "satisfied customers" who described the journey as "easy" and "comfortable," the Post reported.

"The service was outstanding, we have come through very easily," one testimonial reportedly read.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) told the Post, "The Department of Justice should investigate how these apps are being utilized for nefarious activity and get cooperation from the companies that operate them."

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) told Fox News Digital, "The danger is they're gonna go where we're not."

"The northern border has had hundreds of crossings from people on the terrorist watch list," he added. "[There's] a lot of border and a lot of distance between officers."

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Illegal alien kills Border Patrol agent in Vermont moments after Trump takes office: Report



A Border Patrol agent was "fatally shot in the line of duty" on Monday near the United States-Canada border, a Department of Homeland Security press release revealed.

As the tragic event unfolded, President Donald Trump was being sworn in to office, with one of his top priorities being to secure the border and put an end to illegal immigration.

'Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of our fallen brother in green in Vermont.'

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Benjamine Huffman stated, "Every single day, our Border Patrol agents put themselves in harm's way so that Americans and our homeland are safe and secure. My prayers and deepest condolences are with our Department, the Agent's family, loved ones, and colleagues."

"This incident is being swiftly investigated, and DHS will release additional information as soon as it becomes available," Huffman added.

While the DHS did not reveal the agent's identity, it noted that the officer was assigned to the Swanton Sector, the most heavily trafficked northern border section.

Local reports stated that the unidentified agent was fatally shot in the neck while conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont, at around 3:15 p.m.

The investigation, which remains ongoing, has been taken over by the FBI's Albany office.

The interstate was shut down in both directions while the agency continued to "gather evidence and process the scene."

"One U.S. Border Patrol Agent was killed, along with one subject. Another subject was injured and is in custody," the FBI stated. "While there is no threat to the public, Interstate 91 will remain closed due to investigative activity."

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NewsNation's Ali Bradley reported that the suspect was an illegal immigrant who was a "visa overstay," according to sources.

"The shooter is also dead. A woman was injured in the altercation, her status and condition are not known at this time," Bradley wrote in a post on X.

On Monday evening, Bradley provided an update, stating that Customs and Border Protection sources revealed the identity of the agent as 44-year-old David Maland, who had been with the agency for nearly a decade.

She stated that Maland had reportedly recently transferred from Texas to Vermont.

The National Border Patrol Council released a statement regarding the incident.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of our fallen brother in green in Vermont," the union wrote.

Vermont lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders (I), Senator Peter Welch (D), and Representative Becca Balint (D), released a joint statement expressing their condolences.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the agent's family, and to the Border Patrol. We will continue to monitor this situation with federal and state authorities and are appreciative of the first responders and emergency medical service providers who responded to the scene," the lawmakers wrote.

"Border Patrol agents do important work protecting our borders," their statement continued. "They deserve our full support in terms of staffing, pay, and working conditions. We look forward to working with the agency to make sure that they have all the resources they need to do the enormously important work that is their responsibility. Together, we must do everything possible to prevent future tragedies like what happened today."

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Police open fire on driver at US-Canada border; truck had 'sign' indicating 'explosive device on- board'



Police opened fire on a truck driver on Memorial Day as the driver aproached the U.S.-Canadian border with a sign indicating he had an explosive device on board.

The motorist, 42-year-old Tony Holford of Providence, Rhode Island, faces charges of aggravated reckless conduct, a class B crime; terrorizing, a Class D crime, and failure to stop, a class E crime, the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit said in a press release.

At 10:39 a.m. Monday, Maine State Police Trooper Denver Roy attempted to stop a vehicle heading north on Interstate 95 in Houlton, Maine. The driver did not stop, instead continuing north.

Trooper Roy "observed a sign indicating that the operator had an explosive device on-board," the MSP wrote. It is not clear what sort of sign was displayed.

When the vehicle eventually stopped between the U.S. and Canadian ports of entry, troopers commanded him to get out of the vehicle.

When the vehicle's operator reportedly maneuvered the truck toward the Canadian port of entry, Corporal Eric Paquette shot at him.

Holford, who was uninjured, surrendered to Main State Police troopers and was taken to the Aroostook County Jail after being medically cleared.

MSP say the scene is contained and there is no ongoing danger to the public.

Authorities in Canada and the United States are collaborating on an investigation into the incident.

The Maine State Police Bomb Squad and crime scene technicians advised motorists to use alternative points of entry as they processed the scene. The Woodstock, New Brunswick, border crossing was reopened Monday night, according to a tweet posted by the Canada Border Services Agency's Atlantic Region.

The Office of the Maine Attorney General and the Maine State Police will work together "in the coming days to continue the investigation and the events that led up to the officer-involved shooting."

Maine State Police Trooper Eric Paquette, a 23-year MSP veteran, was promoted to corporal of the Firearms Training Unit in March. Tr. Paquette "has been working with the State Police Firearms Unit for well into his second decade where he has attended dozens of firearms trainings, armorer school and has a mastery of multiple weapons platforms," according to a Facebook post from the Maine State Police.

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