November 14, 2023 Québec, Quebec Canada Border Services Agency
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plays an important role in administering the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with respect to foreign workers.
Following an investigation conducted by the CBSA in Québec City, Madani El-Behi and Musavye Adelald appeared on October 13 at the Québec City courthouse, where they pleaded guilty for having hired 71 workers who did not hold work permits in Canada. These workers, hired from September 2021 to July 2022, were working primarily in the agrifood industry.
Mr. El-Behi and Mr. Adelald were charged following the execution of nine search warrants in various locations: the placement agency belonging to the two individuals, the companies to which the agency provided workers and the vehicle of Musavye Adelald. There, investigators found a great deal of incriminating evidence at these locations, including $90,000 in cash, seized as suspected proceeds of crime. Six of these warrants were executed on July 29, 2022, and the other three were executed on February 15, 2023.
This Canada Border Services Agency investigation began in July 2021.
The individuals received a 12-month suspended prison sentence each, as well as 120 and 180 hours of community service.
