Smuggler’s Inn owner facing human smuggling charges

Photo by Ruth Lauman/The Northern Light

Bob Boule, owner of the Smuggler’s Inn Bed and Breakfast at 2480 Canada View Drive in Blaine, has been arrested for allegedly helping people cross into Canada illegally.

According to B.C. court records viewed by The Northern Light, Boule has been arrested and charged with violations of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

He is in custody while he awaits his next court appearance on April 10. Boule’s first court appearance was on April 4 at Surrey Provincial Court. He had subsequent court appearances on April 5 and April 8.

Crown prosecutors have alleged that Boule committed offenses contrary to section 117(1) of the Act, which states: “No person shall organize, induce, aid or abet the coming into Canada of one or more persons knowing that, or being reckless as to whether, their coming into Canada is or would be in contravention of this Act.”

Additional counts state that Boule violated other sections of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, as well as Canada’s Criminal Code.

Boule is alleged to have helped at least 16 individuals cross illegally into Canada. Smuggler’s Inn is located immediately adjacent to Canada and “0” Avenue in Surrey, B.C.

The violations are alleged to have occurred at various times between April 2016 and March 2019.

A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) declined to offer any additional context to the allegations against Boule. “Information that is publicly available may be obtained directly from the court registry,” said the spokesperson. “Subject to any court orders banning publication or excluding the public, all court proceedings are presumed to be open to members of the public and the press. The PPSC has no further information to provide at this time.”

The Canada Border Services Agency did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the case.

Calls to the Smuggler’s Inn were met only by an answering machine.