Canadian residents charged for smuggling scheme in Point Roberts

POINT ROBERTS, Wash. — 2 residents of British Columbia, Canada, appeared in US District Court in Tacoma on May 13, 2026, charged with conspiracy to transport certain aliens for private financial gain. Van Phuong Vu, 28, and Johnny Huynh, 36, were arrested near the Bellingham International Airport following an investigation into a smuggling operation between Canada and Point Roberts.

According to the United States Department of Justice, the incident began about 8:30am on May 5, 2026, when United States Border Patrol (USBP) received reports of individuals crossing the international border at a beach in Point Roberts. Point Roberts is accessible by land only through Canada.

At about 10am, USBP agents at the Bellingham International Airport observed a group of people and Huynh exiting a charter flight terminal. The group was intercepted while walking toward a nearby hotel. Agents later intercepted a second group, including Vu, who arrived on a subsequent flight from Point Roberts.

An investigation determined:

• 8 Vietnamese nationals entered the U.S. without inspection.
• The individuals flew from the Point Roberts airport to Bellingham.
• Some individuals agreed to pay between $13,000 and $15,000 to be smuggled into the U.S.
• Final destinations for the individuals included New York and Tennessee.

Vu is a Vietnamese citizen and a lawful permanent resident of Canada. Huynh is a Canadian citizen. USBP and the Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation.

Conspiracy to transport certain aliens for private financial gain carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.