Detroit Michigan USA - A Canadian cab driver has been sentenced to 16 months in a U.S. prison for sending immigrants through a risky international tunnel under the Detroit River.
 
Juan Garcia-Jimenez, 53, wept and apologized Monday in federal court in Detroit.
 
Besides prison, he was fined $8,680, which is the amount of money paid by nine people who were caught last year when they emerged on foot on the Detroit side of a railroad tunnel.
 
The 2.5 kilometre (1.6 mile) tunnel is used by cargo trains moving between Ontario and Michigan.
 
U.S. prosecutor Susan Fairchild said it's extremely risky, the walkway in the tunnel is only 43.1 centimetres (17 inches) wide.
 
Garcia-Jimenez would drop people off at the tunnel entrance and then drive away.
 
In March 2018, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Garcia-Jimenez was allegedly paid US$1,500 by a Mexican worker for help walking through the rail tunnel.
 
The worker, who was employed by a Leamington farm, was caught by the United States Customs and Border Protection Agents after entering the U.S.
 
Author unknown.