NB woman accused of smuggling people

A woman from St. Stephen, New Brunswick is facing federal prosecution in the United States after allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal aliens across the border.

Savita Singh-Murray, 37, was picked up by border officials last week attempting to cross into Calais, Maine with three people from Guyana in her car.

In a complaint filed in a Maine court, border officials say Singh-Murray claimed to be the aunt of the Guyanese citizens but none of them had any identification. She told officials they were in town for her daughter's graduation.

However, when Singh-Murray was questioned further, officials say she claimed a former boyfriend threatened to harm her or her children if she did not take the Guyanese citizens into the United States.

Singh-Murray did not enter a plea in a court appearance last week. She is scheduled for a detention hearing on Thursday.

• INDEPTH: US Security