RCMP investigating disappearance of migrant workers from Vernon orchard

VERNON – Police are on the lookout for a group migrant workers from Mexico who went missing from a Vernon orchard in June.

The four men left personal items behind, but appear to have taken their identification papers, RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says. The orchard owner told police they disappeared June 26.

The men are Huizar Soto Uriel, 37, Isaac Jimenez, 28, Juvenal Rios Binedo, 39, and Juan Manual Sanchez Gallegos, 30. All four men entered Canada on June 16, 2015. 

RCMP do not believe foul play is a factor in the disappearances.

Police have two possible explanations: That they travelled to work at a different farm in the South Okanagan, or attempted to cross the border into the United States.

“They have not checked in with the Mexican consulate to notify them of the change in their employment,” Molendyk says.

It’s common for migrant workers to change employers, Molendyk says, however they are required to notify the consulate. Leaving the country is against the law under the circumstances, he says.

Their names have been flagged with the Canadian Border Services Agency and Homeland Security. The Mexican consulate is trying to get a hold of their families to see if they have had any contact, Molendyk says.

Photos of two of the four men have been released by the RCMP. 

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.