Algoma U. student charged with human smuggling (update)

Kreshnik Zeneli, a 24-year-old student at Algoma University College, is facing charges in the United States after unsuccessful cross-river smuggling attempts last fall and earlier this month.

The Canadian Press is reporting that Zeneli was picked up by the U.S. Border Patrol last Sunday with a woman from Greece in a small rubber boat in the St. Mary's River.

Two Albanian men were arrested in November after they allegedly tried to cross the river with him, police said.

Zeneli, who's from Toronto, is now awaiting a grand jury hearing in Marquette.

The following statement was issued last night by the RCMP

********************* Charges laid for international human smuggling On Friday March 10th Sault Ste. Marie RCMP laid charges against a 24-year-old male from Toronto, Ontario, following a four-month investigation into human smuggling in the Sault Ste. Marie area.

Kreshnik Zeneli, who was residing in Sault Ste. Marie while attending a local post-secondary institution, has been charged with two counts of human smuggling in relation to two incidents which occurred in November, 2005 and March, 2006.

Zeneli is charged with transporting three foreign nationals across the Canada-United States border via the St Mary's River, in an attempt to avoid United States immigration officials.

All individuals, including Zeneli, were arrested by the United States Border Patrol, and are currently being held in the United States.

Zeneli is charged with two counts of conspiracy for his role in participating in the transportation of individuals into the United States under Section 465(1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

RCMP are continuing their investigation at this time, and additional charges are pending.

*********************