RCMP respond to reports of possible migrants, three individuals arrested

On March 10, 2026, at approximately 8am, officers from the RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) in Manitoba responded to a citizen report of two possible migrants traveling on foot along Provincial Trunk Highway 201 near Neuenberg.

As officers patrolled the area, the migrants were located at the hospital, and both were confirmed to have crossed into Manitoba from the United States. Following treatment for what were described as minor cold-related injuries, the two migrants were arrested without incident and transferred to the custody of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

While attending the hospital, at approximately 9:40am, IBET was advised of another possible migrant who had attended a Rosengart business seeking transportation to Winnipeg. IBET was enroute to the scene, and with support from the RCMP’s Black Hawk helicopter, which was already conducting aerial patrols in the area, officers located the migrant hiding in an unlocked parked vehicle. IBET arrested and transferred the migrant to the custody of CBSA without incident.

At approximately 12pm, RCMP dispatchers received a report of a suspicious individual loitering outside a school in the Rhineland area. As per school protocols, the principal initiated a “hold and secure” to ensure students and faculty were safely secured within the building until police arrival. Upon arrival, the individual was arrested for human smuggling, taken into custody and later released without charges.  The matter remains under investigation and police have no further comments at this time.

“This investigation demonstrates how critical it is for law enforcement and the public to work together when responding to incidents,” said Superintendent Sheldon Hollingworth, Federal Operations Officer – Manitoba, RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region. “We thank the members of the public who took the time to report suspicious behavior, as those reports allowed the RCMP to quickly coordinate resources and respond in a timely and effective manner.”