Calgary man arrested by RCMP for human smuggling has charges stayed. (Photo by Nicole Matthews)
A Calgary man who was arrested for human smuggling has had his charges stayed.
Saleh Youssouf, 50, faced allegations from the RCMP that he helped seven foreign nationals who had illegally crossed into Manitoba from the United States. Manitoba courts confirmed the charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada told CBC News the charges have been stayed.
On Jan. 27, 2024, RCMP were tipped off by the United States Border Patrol about a group of people walking north along a rail line toward the Canadian border near Emerson, Man., around 3:45 a.m.
Youssouf was stopped while driving a rented vehicle just north of the Canada–U.S. border, near Dominion City, Man.
According to RCMP, the men in the vehicle were from the Republic of Chad in north-central Africa and ranged in age from 27 to 49. Police said they appeared to be wearing winter clothing and were likely going to cross into Canada within the hour.
The men were arrested under the Customs Act and transferred to Canada Border Services Agency immigration officers at the Emerson port of entry.
The reason the charges were stayed has not been made public.
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