Federal officials say a boat operator knew his passengers could not swim when he allegedly abandoned six Indian citizens on a sinking boat during a failed smuggling attempt across the cold St. Lawrence River in northern New York.
Brian Lazor, a US citizen, was detained on bail last week on smuggling charges. His lawyer, Gabriel DiBella, told the Associated Press that Lazor was “presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Authorities spotted the boat on April 28 after leaving a hotel in Cornwall, Ontario, and crossing the St. Lawrence River.
The court records say that Lazore “continued to get out of the sinking ship and go ashore”, as the ship took water about 800 feet (244 meters) from the Canadian border.
The boat was almost completely submerged when firefighters arrived.
Lazore and six passengers were later treated for hypothermia and then arrested by the Border Patrol.
“We were going to die,” said one of the passengers, according to court documents. “The police saved us.”
Another passenger told border officials he “knows this is not a typical way to enter the United States,” according to court documents.
Lazore has been charged with “alien smuggling”.
“The exceptional co-operation between law enforcement and rescue services has prevented what could have been a horrific tragedy,” said Matthew Rourke, chief of the Saint Regis Mohawk police department, in a statement.
Our morning and evening newsletters are written by Globe editors, giving you a brief summary of the most important headlines of the day. Register today.
This content looks like it was provided to The Globe by the original telegraph service. Not edited by Globe employees.
Add Comment