(NewsNation) — As record-breaking migrant encounters continue to hit the southern border, another wave is hitting the northern frontier.
A New Jersey-based smuggling group run by migrants is using the northern border to smuggle illegal migrants into the U.S.
The ring-leaders of this smuggling ring were reportedly making $6,000 for every person they were able to successfully get across the northern border.
Police arrested and charged at least two men living in New Jersey in connection to the scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Vermont.
According to court documents, the migrants were picked up in Montreal and then smuggled to remote areas of the U.S.-Canada border, where they would cross into parts of Vermont.
Authorities believe at least one additional man involved with the smuggling ring is still at large, continuing operations from Canada. The northern border is becoming an option for wealthier migrants looking to cross into the U.S. illegally — a better option to avoid the dangers of crossing in the south.
“For the last two years, we’ve left the northern border open by deploying all of our agents down south which really created an atmosphere where the cartels and other criminal organizations took advantage and exploited the northern border that’s unguarded,” said Sean Walsh, the president of the Swanton Sector of the National Border Patrol Council.
The northern border saw a 550% increase in apprehensions during the 2023 fiscal year. That’s more than the past 10 years combined.
Border surveillance pictures of attempted migrant smuggling at the northern border. (Credit: CBP) 
Border surveillance pictures of attempted migrant smuggling at the northern border. (Credit: CBP) 
Border surveillance pictures of attempted migrant smuggling at the northern border. (Credit: CBP) 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection vehicle at the northern border. (Credit: CBP) 
Border surveillance pictures of attempted migrant smuggling at the northern border. (Credit: CBP)