Bombay, N.Y. - U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Massena Border Patrol Station arrested two individuals in connection to a failed smuggling attempt on Saturday.

On February 15, Border Patrol agents stopped a vehicle on State Route 95 in Bombay. During the stop, the agents confirmed that the occupants were citizens of India who entered the United States illegally and not at a designated port of entry. Both were transported to the Border Patrol Station for processing and one subject was charged with Improper Entry by Alien in violation of 8 USC 1325.

The driver, a citizen of India who also entered illegally previously, was charged with Alien Smuggling in violation of 8 USC 1324. Alien smuggling is a felony, which carries a penalty of a fine and up to 5 years in prison for each violation.

“Border Patrol Agents of the Massena Station are continually vigilant and work hard day and night to apprehend smugglers who profit through illicit cross border activity” stated Massena Station Patrol Agent in Charge Wade Laughman, “This is just one example of many recent smuggling events that have been thwarted in the Massena Station area of operation.”

The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. The coordination with assistance of citizens is invaluable to the Border Patrol's border security mission and we welcome community members' help to keep our nation’s borders safe. Please report suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.