S. Americans charged with illegal entry

RANGELEY – Nine men from Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil have been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement after officials got a tip that they were working illegally for construction contractors in the Rangeley area.

Officials say seven of the men were charged with illegal entry into the U.S. and two face more serious charges of re-entry after deportation.

Benjamin Moreno from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Houlton office said the men were arrested over the weekend and their cases have been referred to the U.S. attorney in Portland.

Moreno would not release the names of the men or their employer.