On our side, maybe. But for a terrorist, that idea poses a certain risk. Indeed, at least 107 of them:
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Posted on 11/16/2003 10:28:43 AM PST by MontanaBeth
Two men recently pleaded guilty to smuggling illegal aliens from Korea into the United States from Canada. The smuggling operation was busted in the Yaak area of Lincoln County in the northwest corner of Montana. Jae Kyun Jung, 29, pleaded guilty in federal court in Missoula last week to three charges--conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens, smuggling illegal aliens and aiding and abetting smuggling.
Sang Bong Park pleaded guilty to conspiracy to smuggle illegal aliens and abetting smuggling. No age was given for Park.
Their arrests were the result of cooperation between the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
On Aug. 7, Canadian police contacted the Porthill Port of Entry near the Yaak area to say a possible alien smuggling operation was discovered in the Freeman Creek area of Canada.
The RCMP reported that 12 Koreans were illegally entering the United States near Garver Creek in Lincoln County.
U.S. border officials traveled to the Garver Creek/Pete Creek area. They reportedly saw a vehicle with no license plate which was registered in California to Park. The vehicle was 2 miles south of the Canadian border. The vehicle was put under surveillance while the area was searched. Border agents reportedly saw a Korean man in the driver's seat, putting on his sandals. He was identified as Park, who had a student visa. Park told the agent he was studying English in California. When asked why he was in such a remote area, Park said he was looking for his golden retriever, Tom.
He had no hiking equipment, survival gear, dog leash, dog food or any dog hair in his vehicle. A search found keys to a 2003 white Lincoln Town Car.
The Lincoln was found five miles south of the Pete Creek access road. Inside the Lincoln were wire money receipts in Park's name, indicating he had wired about $7,000 to someone in British Columbia.
Park was found to be illegallly present in the United States and was arrested.
On Aug. 8, border personnel apprehended 12 Koreans on the same path near Garver Creek, north of where Park was found. They were arrested and taken to the Bonners Ferry, Idaho office. When Jung was interviewed, he admitted he smuggled the aliens into the United States for money. Witnesses said Jung was the guide, or smuggler, for the group. Several said they paid $300 to $4,500 each to be brought in the U.S. from Canada.
One person said he went to the U.S. Consulate in Korea and visited various travel agencies outside the building there that promised travel and visas to the United States. He paid $1,000 to an agency in addition to airfare from Vancouver to Calgary. He went to Vancouver and then flew to Calgary, where he met Jung in a motel. He paid $3,500 to enter the United States.
Jung and Park face prison terms of 5-10 years on each charge, plus $250,000 fines and three years supervised release.
Chief U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy will sentence them Feb. 26. They were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kris McLean.
Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com
Yes, my vacation-flight to MT this year (Aug, 20th-Aug 31st) touched down in Helena in a reddish cloud-bank of smog. It reminded me of Los Angleles. We packed into the eastern end (Mystic Lake/Granite Peak area) of the Absarooka-Beartooth Wilderness (south-central) this year, which was thankfully clear of the smoke that was all over the northern portion of Montana from the forest fires.
I also worked on a Heli-tack crew of fire fighters for a summer, ages ago now, out of St. Regis, MT (next to Idaho panhandle) before returning to school.
On our side, maybe. But for a terrorist, that idea poses a certain risk. Indeed, at least 107 of them:
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