Michigan Man Arrested for Alien Smuggling

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Narcis Gabriel Burcea, age 26, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was arrested on October 6 for transporting Andreea Tita Pirlica, an alien and citizen of Romania, following Pirlica’s illegal entry into the United States.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Robert N. Garcia, Acting Chief Patrol Agent, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector.

The charges in the complaints are merely accusations.  The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

According to the criminal complaints, Burcea entered the United States from Canada at the Massena, New York, Port of Entry on October 5, 2018.  He spent the night at a local hotel, then traveled to the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation on October 6.  Border Patrol Agents saw Burcea enter a parking lot alone, and a few minutes later saw him leave the parking lot with Pirlica.  The investigation revealed that Pirlica traveled from Canada to the United States via boat and was driven to the area of the parking lot where she met Burcea.  Agents stopped Burcea as he and Pirlica traveled toward Massena. 

The charges filed against Burcea carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a post-imprisonment term of supervised release of up to 3 years.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

Pirlica is charged with the misdemeanor crime of illegal entry.

This case is being investigated by Border Patrol, with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Massena Office of Field Operations, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Kopita.