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The officers searched his vehicle and discovered a patch kit for an inflatable rubber raft and a backpack containing a letter to Robert Comeau.

Gechuashvili, who four months earlier had applied for permanent resident status in Canada, was arrested.

The crew on the other side of the river fared no better.

U.S. Border Patrol found Michael Robertson, a Canadian, with two foreign nationals, also Georgians.

Robertson quickly admitted he was trying to smuggle the two into Canada.

After the U.S. border guards alerted their Canadian counterparts, tracking dogs and a search team found Mirian Vashakidze and Comeau hiding near the river’s edge.

A rubber raft, two paddles, a pump and a small duffle bag were nearby. What was not found was any fishing equipment, the IRB heard.

Robertson told U.S. authorities Gechuashvili was in charge, and Vashakidze and Comeau were also involved. He was being paid $1,000 and had brought others across in the past, including Gechuashvili’s daughter.

He said he had also helped take a man into the U.S. from Canada.

In Canada, Comeau was also talkative, the IRB heard.

He said he was paid $3,000 for his part and also said Gechuashvili was in charge.

Gechuashvili denied involvement. He said he didn’t know Vashakidze or Comeau and maintained he got lost near the border.

Vashakidze admitted knowing Comeau through work and Gechuashvili through the Georgian community in Toronto, but said he was merely fishing.