**Quebec Man Pleads Guilty to Human Smuggling Resulting in Death** A Quebec man has pleaded guilty to charges related to the illegal smuggling of a pregnant woman from Canada into the United States, which tragically ended with her drowning in a river. Jhader Augusto Uribe-Tobar, 37, a Colombian citizen residing in Quebec, admitted to his role in the smuggling operation during a court appearance in New York. The case highlights the dangers of cross-border human trafficking. Uribe-Tobar was accused of advertising his smuggling services on social media. Miguel Mojarro-Magana, who was in the U.S., discovered a TikTok video promoting illegal crossings from Canada. He contacted Uribe-Tobar on December 7, 2023, to arrange for his wife, Ana Karen Vasquez-Flores, to join him in the U.S. Court records indicate that Uribe-Tobar quoted a fee of $2,500 for the crossing, stating, "It costs $2500 America, it is worked through Montreal and they are left in the City of Plattsburgh, NY." When Mojarro-Magana expressed concern about the journey's safety, Uribe-Tobar replied, "Well, look, truth is, the only certain thing in life is death, but we are effective." On December 11, 2023, the day of the crossing, heavy snowfall was forecasted, and temperatures were near freezing. As Mojarro-Magana arranged the payment, Vasquez-Flores was picked up in a red GMC Terrain SUV. Uribe-Tobar waited at a gas station in St. Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, until he received the payment. After the transfer was confirmed, the vehicle headed toward the U.S. border. Vasquez-Flores successfully crossed into the U.S. near the Champlain border crossing. However, she was directed to the Great Chazy River, where she was told the water was "wadable" despite the harsh weather conditions. As she attempted to cross, she communicated with both her husband and Uribe-Tobar. The last message from Uribe-Tobar, sent at 6:17 p.m., was not delivered, leading authorities to believe this was when she was swept away by the river's current. Mojarro-Magana, worried for his wife, contacted U.S. Border Patrol after receiving a notification that her phone battery was low. Law enforcement discovered footprints leading into the river. Tragically, Vasquez-Flores's body was recovered on December 14, 2023, with the cause of death determined to be drowning. Uribe-Tobar was identified as the smuggler after previous encounters with law enforcement. In October 2023, he was stopped by the RCMP while driving a similar vehicle with four Mexican passengers. Although they were released, the incident later linked him to the smuggling operation. Following his extradition from Canada, Uribe-Tobar faced trial in the U.S. On Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to charges of alien smuggling, alien smuggling resulting in death, and conspiracy to commit alien smuggling. These charges carry a potential sentence ranging from a minimum of three years to life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for February 2026. Uribe-Tobar's attorney did not respond to requests for comment before the publication deadline.