News release
RCMP uses thermal imaging to arrest illegal migrants entering Manitoba
February 5, 2025
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
From: Manitoba RCMP
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The RCMP is committed to using every available technology and asset to secure the border between Canada and the United States.
This includes airplanes with advanced thermal imaging capabilities to detect illegal activity near the border.
The RCMP will also continue to work closely with law enforcement partners in the United States to ensure intelligence is rapidly shared to ensure a coordinated response to any border incursion.
At 7:30pm, on January 14th, 2025, a group of six individuals was detected heading towards the Manitoba border, approximately 15 km east of Emerson.
An RCMP plane equipped with thermal imaging was actively patrolling the border and quickly located the six individuals and directed ground units to the location.
RCMP officers in vehicles responded immediately and began searching for the group who had fled into a wooded area.
With the RCMP plane directing officers on the ground, all six were arrested without incident (1 Jordanian, 3 Sudanese, 1 Chadian and 1 Mauritanian) and transferred to the Canadian Border Services Agency.
“We want to be clear. We have the partnerships, the technology, and the resources in place to respond to the border and to stop illegal activity,” said Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland, Regional Commander, Northwest Region, Federal Policing, RCMP. “By working closely with Canada Border Services Agency as well as provincial and US law enforcement partners, we can detect and arrest those who attempt to cross our shared border.”
A video of the arrests using thermal imaging is available. To request a video, please send email to: RCMP.Media.GRC.Manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Contacts
RCMP Media Relations
RCMP.Media.GRC.Manitoba@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
204-983-8497
www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/mb
RCMP Manitoba
Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Manitoba