By Vancouver Sun

Surrey residents Jas Binning and Jagdeep Binning have been sentenced in Seattle in connection with a scheme to smuggle people into the U.S. from Canada via the Peace Arch Park.

Jas Binning was sentenced to six months in prison, two years of supervised release, and a $5,000 fine.

Jagdeep Binning was sentenced to time served (50 days in prison), two years of supervised release, and is jointly responsible for the $5,000 fine.

At sentencing U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman said smuggling humans for profit is “disrespectful to your country and to mine... and to all those people who come in and legitimately make their way as immigrants.”

The couple conspired to smuggle people into the U.S. using their house that borders Peace Arch Park.

On Aug. 30, 2008, Jas Binning charged a man - actually an undercover RCMP office - $4,500 to be smuggled into the U.S.

Jas Binning took the undercover agent to his home and then showed him how to walk across the park and meet an associate across the border.

On Dec. 13, 2008, Jas Binning arranged for another man, also an undercover RCMP agent, to also be smuggled across the border, for a $5,000 fee.

Jagdeep Binning, who was pregnant at the time, accompanied the man into the park, noting that smuggling was “easier” in the summer when the park was crowded.

After her arrest, Jagdeep Binning spent 50 days at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, before being released to return home for the birth of her daughter.

“To profit from (human smuggling) is even more hideous,” she said, ”because you prey on those who are desperate to see their families,” Pechman said at sentencing, according to a news release.

Canadian authorities have moved to civilly forfeit the Binning’s home just north of the park on Peace Park Drive since it was used in the smuggling activities.