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Two men plead guilty to hiring workers without permits following CBSA investigation

Two men have pleaded guilty of employing individuals without valid work permits following an investigation by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

In a Quebec City courthouse, Madani El-Behi and Musavye Adelald admitted to hiring 71 workers who were not authorized to work in Canada. These workers, hired from September 2021 to July 2022, were working primarily in the agrifood industry.

The charges come after the execution of nine search warrants in various locations:

• the placement agency belonging to the two individuals;
• the companies to which the agency provided workers; and
• and the vehicle of Musavye Adelald.

Investigators found a “great deal of incriminating evidence at these locations,” the CBSA said in a press release, including $90,000 in cash, seized as suspected proceeds of crime. Six of these warrants were executed on July 29, 2022, and the other three were executed on Feb. 15, 2023.

“The charges announced today by the Canada Border Services Agency reflect our commitment to maintaining the country’s immigration system. We investigate people who illegally hire foreign workers and hold them responsible,” said Annie Beauséjour, Regional Director General, Quebec Region , Canada Border Services Agency.

They each received a 12-month prison sentence and El-Behi was given 120 hours of community service and Adelad was given 180 hours.