On Wednesday, February 5, Canadian police revealed that one person died and 15 were arrested while attempting to enter Canada from the United States in three separate incidents in recent weeks.
The police also highlighted measures to defend the border as US President Donald Trump called for a crackdown.
During a televised news conference, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland noted that the individuals were of various nationalities and were unprepared for the cold Canadian winter, adding that no fentanyl was recovered.
Due to privacy rules, their information was not made public.
On Monday, February 3, only days before the news conference, Trump suspended a threat of severe tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau negotiated the tariff deferral after speaking with Trump about intentions to deploy extra equipment and workers along the border, as well as initiate collaborative efforts to combat organised crime, fentanyl smuggling, and money laundering.
Moreland, exhibiting thermal images and helicopter footage, indicated that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police aim to demonstrate that they have the technology and resources to secure their border.
According to accounts, in the most recent three cases, a person drove into Canada at the Coutts port of entry that connects Montana and Alberta and attempted to run when halted for inspection.
Moreland reported that the man, a US citizen, died from self-inflicted firearm wounds while being pursued by police.
The day before, officials caught four adults and five kids near Coutts after being tipped off by US border patrol agents, while six persons were captured after crossing into the central Canadian province of Manitoba on January 14.
Moreland reported that the individuals were attempting to enter Canada in severe -20 to -30 Celsius (-4F to -22F) weather.
“They did not have hats, gloves, mittens, or anything that we would normally see in a Canadian winter,” Moreland said of the six arrested in Manitoba.
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