Two Israeli nationals have pleaded not guilty to immigration charges stemming from a sweep of illegal workers in the Halifax area in December.
Immigration lawyer Lee Cohen entered the pleas Monday when he appeared in Halifax provincial court on behalf of Iftach Jacob, 23, and Nissan Shitrit, 22.
Both men are charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act with working in Canada without authorization.
Jacob also faces charges of employing foreign nationals without authorization and failing to adhere to the conditions of a visitor permit.
The two men are living in the Toronto area while they’re out on bail.
Cohen and Crown attorney Tim McLaughlin told the court that they aren’t sure how many days will be needed for trial. They hope to have that figured out by April 27, when they’re scheduled to be back before Judge Bill Digby.
The Canada Border Services Agency arrested 11 people in December after a series of raids on a Halifax home and kiosks at three local shopping malls.
The agency said all but one of those arrested were young adults from Israel who were visiting Canada and did not appear to have work permits. They were all involved in selling a product called Heat in a Click, a gel-like heating pad.
Eight people pleaded guilty right away to working in the country without authorization and were fined $1,000 each. One person was released without being charged.
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