Somali refugee caught twice smuggling African migrants into Canada admits doing it for cash

Abdi Hassan Ali, 33, participated in two separate smuggling operations in 2024, and was paid for his involvement.

| August 20, 2026 | News Analysis | 1 Comment

A Somali refugee has pleaded guilty to helping smuggle African migrants across the U.S.-Canada border into Manitoba for money, after being caught twice by RCMP, including once while he was already out on bail.

Abdi Hassan Ali, 33, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of organizing, inducing, aiding or abetting people who did not have the documents required to enter Canada.

According to federal Crown prosecutor Colin Gray, Ali participated in two separate smuggling operations in 2024, on Feb. 22 and Dec. 1, and was paid for his involvement.

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The first arrest came after RCMP caught Ali with eight foreign nationals in his vehicle during the Manitoba winter. Despite facing charges and being released on bail, Ali was caught again months later assisting another group of migrants entering the province illegally.

Ali has now admitted that his involvement wasn't simply an effort to help fellow migrants reach Canada. Money was part of the arrangement.

The case comes amid continued concerns about human smuggling along Manitoba's remote border with the United States, where migrants can face potentially deadly winter conditions while attempting to cross between official ports of entry.

Ali is expected to be sentenced at a later date.

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Sheila Gunn Reid

Chief Reporter

Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.

https://mybook.to/sheila

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