BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

AKWESASNE -- Nine people have now been arrested in connection with a human smuggling ring that Akwesasne Mohawk Police and Royal Canadian Mounted Police say is responsible for the deaths of nine people in 2023.

In a release from the RCMP, eight arrests were made on June 6 as part of a "large-scale human smuggling ring that funneled illegal migrants into the United States in the area around Cornwall, Ontario.”

Just over two months later, Akwesasne Mohawk Police arrested Stephanie Square, 51, on Aug. 22 in connection with the human smuggling ring.

She was originally charged with operation while disqualified, which is a similar charge to driving with a suspended license, according to AMPS. She was later arrested on a provisional arrest warrant for conspiracy to commit alien smuggling for profit and alien smuggling resulting in death pursuant to the Extradition Act.

As a result of the charges, she was remanded into custody, police say.

"We continue to work with local law enforcement agencies as this is a complex cross border smuggling investigation. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service remains committed to the safety and well-being of our community. We encourage community members to support and assist in our efforts by reporting any suspected criminal activities. Anyone with information that could assist in any type of investigation is urged to call Central Dispatch at 613-575-2000," Akwesasne Mohawk Police posted on Facebook Aug. 28.

The news of the arrests comes just over two months after RCMP officials arrested four Akwesasne natives for their role in a human smuggling ring that funneled illegal migrants into the United States in the area around Cornwall, Ontario.

Charged in the case were Akwesasne residents Justin Rourke, 43, Mary June Benedict, 48, Cheyenne Lewis, 51 and Tionna David, 21, police say.

According to RCMP officials, investigators from the Cornwall Regional Task Force (CRTF) identified and investigated a human smuggling group beginning in July 2022.

The CRTF is a joint task force made up of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Ontario Ministry of Finance which works closely with U.S. partners to combat crime on both sides of the border, officials said.

"Many people from all over the world come to North America desperately seeking a better life. Transnational criminal networks are exploiting that desperation to profit from these men, women and families, with no concern for their welfare. While collaboration with our partners was key in bringing this group to justice, I would also like to remind the public to remain vigilant and inform us immediately if they see suspicious activity on our borders to help authorities put an end to this type of dangerous exploitation." - Insp. Etienne Thauvette, Officer in charge of Cornwall Detachment, Central Region Federal Policing, Border Integrity Section.

Police say the group was profiting from organizing and facilitating the illegal movement of migrants from Canada into the U.S.

According to a press release, police say the group smuggled " hundreds of desperate migrants through communities along the St. Lawrence River across borders into the United States" between July 2022 and June 2023.

"Migrants were allegedly charged thousands of dollars by the smugglers. Dangerous night-time crossings even cost some migrants their lives," RCMP officials said in the release.