Federal agencies investigate after body found near Washington-Canada border; human trafficking suspected

Jack Belcher / The Bellingham Herald (TNS)

Multiple federal agencies are investigating the death of a non-citizen near the Canadian border as part of a human smuggling operation.

The body of a man was discovered in Ferndale near the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks on June 20, according to a June 26 Department of Homeland Security news release. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection are also investigating.

The man was identified as Chayane Silva-Perez, 23, of Mexico. Authorities determined his cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries. The incident was ruled an accident, according to Deborah Hollis of the Whatcom County Medical Examiner's Office.

“Ferndale’s death is a tragic reminder of the dangers associated with human trafficking,” Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer said in the release. Hammer oversees HSI’s operations in the Pacific Northwest. “These illicit activities not only endanger the lives of those being smuggled, but also pose significant risks to our communities.”

According to the statement, attempts to traffic people using the trail to Washington have increased in recent months.

Authorities have not yet released the identity or cause of death.

The Herald reported on two recent incidents in April, when four people suspected of human trafficking near Blaine were charged, and the arrest of two men who were caught with three non-citizens smuggled in from Canada.

The Department of Homeland Security has not released any further details about the investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the HSI hotline at 1-877-447-4847.

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