Sask. couple arrested in human smuggling case

The man arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the husband of the woman involved in the human smuggling case along the Saskatchewan-North Dakota border.

U.S. officials confirm three arrests were made, a Nigerian and two Canadian citizens.

That Nigerian is Victor Omoruyi, the husband of Michelle Omoruyi who was charged by the RCMP with human smuggling and conspiracy to commit human smuggling.

The arrests were made somewhere between the North Portal and Northgate ports of entry.

Victor was found with the Canadian citizens who were trying to enter the U.S. illegally.

Michelle was found in her vehicle with nine west Africans crossing the border into Canada.

In a news conference held Wednesday, the RCMP confirmed the now four-month long investigation between both U.S. and Canadian border officials is ongoing.

It began around Christmas with information received when a male Canadian resident was questioned at the border on his return to Canada.

When he crossed back into the border four months later, evidence indicated human smuggling was imminent.

The RCMP nor Canadian Border Services would provide details on the gender, age or nationality of the asylum seekers.