By Canadian Press

One of three suspects charged after 44 migrants found near border in Quebec gets bail

Sep 10, 2025 | 2:24 PM

MONTREAL — One of three men charged with human smuggling after 44 migrants were found crammed inside a cube van in southern Quebec has been granted bail.

Firat Yuksek must respect a long list of conditions that include not having a passport and not being within 25 kilometres of the Canada-U.S. border.

Quebec court Judge Alexandre Tardif ruled that Yuksek’s co-accused, Ogulcan Mersin and Dogan Alakus, will remain detained until the end of their trial.

There is a publication ban in place on the evidence presented over two days during the bail hearing in Sherbrooke, Que.

The men were arrested at about 2:20 a.m. on Aug. 3 near Stanstead, Que., after police intercepted a cube truck near the U.S. border.

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They face charges under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the Customs Act for allegedly smuggling 44 migrants, who police say were mostly Haitian and included young children and a pregnant woman.

Their case returns to court Nov. 3.

A fourth suspect, Tolga Yilmaz, was arrested at Montreal Trudeau International Airport on Aug. 8 after allegedly trying to flee, and is also facing charges in connection with the case.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 10, 2025.

The Canadian Press