Woman charged with smuggling people across Quebec-U.S. border in summer of 2017

A woman has been charged with smuggling several people across the Quebec-U.S. border at Roxham Roadin the summer of 2017, when there was an increase in the number of asylum seekers crossing on foot.

Olayinka Celestina Opaleyeappeared in a courtroom in Saint-Jean-sur-RichelieuWednesday, to face charges under theImmigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Opaleye was arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)following an investigation.

The CBSAbelieves Opaleyewas "operating as part of a network of smugglers who organized travel for these people in exchange for compensation," the agency said in a news release Wednesday.

CBSA spokesperson Dominque McNeelysays the next hearing on the matter is March 27.

It's unclear if other people were also arrested as part of the alleged network and how exactly Opaleyeallegedly smuggled people across the border.