The alleged smuggler of a pregnant migrant who drowned while trying to cross the Canadian-American border in December has just been arrested in Saint-Hyacinthe with a view to her extradition to the United States.
Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar, 35, was arrested at his home last week by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) at the request of American authorities.
According to them, Uribe-Tobar allegedly charged Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores US$2,500 in order to illegally cross the border to the south. The latter, however, died while trying to cross a river.
Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores died on December 11 while trying to cross the Canada-US border.
Facebook Ana Vasquez
The Mexican wanted to join her partner Miguel Mojarro-Magana in the United States, according to court documents consulted by THE Newspaper.
The latter therefore viewed a video promoting illegal crossings between Canada and the United States on the TikTok platform, then sent a private message to “Jaime Garcia”. The account, followed by nearly 700 people, belongs to Uribe-Tobar according to American authorities.
The alleged smuggler would have told Mr. Mojarro-Magana that his wife would have to walk between two and a half and three hours in order to cross the border, we can read in text messages submitted as evidence. This journey would, however, have to be done alone, since a smuggler would only guide her by messages.
Fatal journey
On December 11, Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores was finally returned near the border in Montérégie. Authorities believe Uribe-Tobar was behind the wheel.
Once at the border, the alleged smuggler showed him where to go and cross the river. At the same time, the victim sent him his location in real time, we can read in other messages.
Mme Vasquez-Flores never received the last text message Uribe-Tobar sent at 6:17 p.m. That’s when she drowned, according to American authorities.
Her body was finally recovered three days later a few kilometers from Roxham Road by border agents, who had been alerted by her husband.
Not a first
The Saint-Hyacinthe resident had already been intercepted last September by RCMP officers, while he was transporting four Mexican migrants. However, he was released at the time.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers patrol the Canada-US border.
Joël Lemay Archives / QMI Agency
Relatives of Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar met at his home, however, have difficulty explaining what is happening to him.
“He is innocent. We will prove it with the evidence we have,” reacted through the door a woman who refused to open the door to our representative.
Uribe-Tobar will return to the Montreal courthouse on January 12 for his release investigation pending the extradition hearing.
– With the collaboration of Jonathan Tremblay