WINNIPEG, Manitoba – A 32-year-old U.S. citizen has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation into human smuggling.

Sahil Aziz pleaded guilty to charges of organizing entry into Canada and smuggling into Canada credit data possessed fraudulently.

Aziz received a two-year prison sentence for human smuggling and time served for smuggling credit card data, for a full sentence of two years and 10 months.

According to the CBSA, Aziz attempted to cross into Canada on Feb. 7 alone at the Emerson port of entry near the Pembina port in North Dakota. A search of his vehicle by border services officers found multiple identity documents, including one belonging to another individual, as well as a suitcase and cell phone which did not belong to Aziz.

The CBSA obtained a search warrant and gathered additional evidence relating to IRPA misrepresentation and a large quantity of stolen credit card data.

“Human smuggling is a serious offense. The Canada Border Services Agency upholds the integrity of Canada’s immigration system by conducting thorough investigations into human smuggling activities and prosecuting individuals who break our immigration laws,” Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Public Safety, said.