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

On March 2, Border Patrol agents stopped a vehicle on State Route 95 in Bombay. During the stop, agents confirmed that four of the occupants were citizens of India who entered the United States illegally and not at a designated port of entry. A second vehicle involved was also stopped. All occupants from both vehicles were transported to the Border Patrol Station for processing.

The drivers of both vehicles were charged with felony Alien Smuggling in violation of 8 USC 1324. One driver was charged with a violation that carries a penalty of a fine and up to 5 years in prison. The other driver was charged with a violation that carries a penalty of a fine and up to 10 years in prison. Two of the subjects that entered the United States illegally were charged with Improper Entry by Alien in violation on 8 USC 1325.

“This incident is an example of the hard work of the Border Patrol Agents of the Massena Station to enforce the laws of the United States,” said Wade Laughman, Patrol Agent in Charge of Massena Station. “We’ve seen an increase in the amount of cross border activity over the last several months, leading to the arrest of several alien smugglers attempting to take advantage of the unique geographical make-up of the Massena Station’s 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.