Thirteen detained in Akwesasne trying to enter United States

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service headquarters. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

AKWESASNE – Police in Akwesasne have detained 13 people trying to enter the United States over the weekend.

The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service says two calls were received about foreign nationals in St. Regis on Saturday (Aug. 5).

“Police located a family of four walking on the roadway…and a second family of nine was located at a private residence,” AMPS said.

The 13 people were turned over to Canadian authorities and an investigation is ongoing.

This latest development comes only months after nine people died trying to cross the St. Lawrence River in a boat in March in a suspected human smuggling operation.