A 50-year-old Oakville man was arrested earlier this month after allegedly attempting to smuggle two people across the border into the U.S.

The incident occurred on Nov. 12 at the Peace Bridge port of entry in Buffalo, N.Y.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, a Canadian citizen was driving a tractor-trailer carrying rolled steel and was a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) cardholder — a joint commercial clearance initiative between Canadian and U.S. border services.

Those approved participants who are identified as “low risk,” according to the Canadian Border Services Agency website, have access to several benefits including being dedicated for “faster and more efficient border clearance.”

A secondary inspection in this case by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found a husband and wife, both Albanian citizens, under a blanket inside the cab of the tractor-trailer.

U.S. CBP Director of Field Operations Randy Howe praised the officers for their efforts in the investigation.

“This was an outstanding job by our front- line officers,” Howe said. “Our officers possess keen observational skills and in this case, were able to determine that this driver and truck required further inspection.

The driver of the vehicle, Tonin Ndoja appeared before a U.S. court on Nov. 13 and is due back in early December after being released on bail.

He is charged with bringing in aliens in exchange for financial gain – an offence that carries a maximum penalty in the U.S. of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Bardok Tusha, 30, and his wife Kleda Tusha, 20, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of illegal entry and were sentenced to time served.