Border Agents Bust Brazilians Illegally Crossing St. Clair River On A Jet Ski Into MI: CBP

PORT HURON, MI — Seven people were arrested Saturday near Port Huron after officials said four migrants used a jet ski to illegally cross the St. Clair River to get into Michigan from Canada.

Air and Marine Operations agents were flying near the Blue Water Bridge when they saw a jet ski with three people on it leave from Canada and cross the international border on the St. Clair River, Customs and Border Patrol officials said.

The jet ski landed near Port Huron, where two men got off and began walking down the road, as the driver of the jet ski returned to Canada, officials said.

Border Patrol agents then saw the two men get into a vehicle, which was stopped by Marysville Station Border Patrol agents and identified the driver as a 39-year-old United States citizen.

The two passengers were identified as two Brazilian nationals, ages 34 and 35, who both admitted to illegally crossing into the U.S., officials said. The driver and two men were taken to the Marysville station for processing.

A short time later, a Marysville Border Patrol Marine Unit saw the same jet ski crossing the St. Clair River, officials said. Two people got off the jet ski, including the driver, and began inland.

Border Patrol agents approached the pair and identified them as Brazilian nationals as well. The duo also admitted to illegally crossing the international border into the U.S. The subjects, a 47-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, were also taken to the Marysville Station for processing, officials said.

All four Brazilian nationals were found to have no legal status to remain in the U.S., according to the officials.

"These criminals made their brazen attempt on a busy weekend without regard or fear of our law-abiding community," said Chief Patrol Agent Robert Danley. "While our strong U.S. and Canadian law enforcement partnerships facilitated a quick resolution, it cannot overshadow the role the community can play in our success."

The 39-year-old driver was also charged with unlawful transportation through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The four Brazilians also have been referred for prosecution, authorities said Tuesday.

Through coordination with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, police arrested two other people in connection to the smuggling attempt, officials said. That investigation is ongoing, and no other details were released by officials.

"This is a testament to how federal and international partnerships are vital in our border security mission," said Marc Sledge, director of the CBP Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch. "Our agents perform an extraordinary job out there ... each and every day to protect America."