Montreal, Quebec
On November 6, 2025, Edgar Gonzalez de Paz, a 37-year-old foreign national, pleaded guilty at the Montreal courthouse to conspiring to organize and facilitate the illegal entry of persons into the United States, in violation of section 465(1)(d) of the Criminal Code. He received a prison sentence of two years less a day.
A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation revealed that on January 27 and 28, 2024, Mr. Gonzalez de Paz took part in a conspiracy to facilitate the smuggling of seven migrants into the United States. According to the investigation, he organized the clandestine border crossing in exchange for money.
Mr. Gonzalez de Paz had previously been arrested and charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) on November 6, 2024, for avoiding examination and returning to Canada without authorization. On January 21, 2025, he pleaded guilty to the charge and received a ten-month prison sentence.
According to the IRPA, criminality is grounds for inadmissibility to Canada. Once the sentence associated with the guilty plea has been served, the CBSA will take the administrative steps to remove Mr. Gonzalez de Paz.
In addition to members the Criminal Investigations team, several CBSA participants pooled their expertise in this investigation, including members of the Investigations and Removals, Hearings and Intelligence sections, to successfully identify the accused, establish the nature of his illegal activities, locate and apprehend him, and remove him from Canada as soon as possible.
