BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agents seized more than 3,000 lbs. of marijuana in commercial shipments, at the Port of Buffalo.
On June 2, CBP officers assigned to the Lewiston Bridge selected a commercial shipment that was manifested as “paper” for additional examination. The truck and trailer were sent for a non-intrusive examination that revealed anomalies in the trailer. After the truck was escorted to the dock, a subsequent physical inspection of the shipment revealed vacuum-sealed packages contained within boxes loaded on pallets. CBP officers then performed a thorough inventory of the shipment that resulted in the seizure of 1,275 packages of marijuana. The contents of the vacuum-sealed packages field-tested positive for the properties of marijuana and has an estimated street value of $2.8 million dollars.
In addition, another shipment of approximately 1,663 lbs. of marijuana was discovered earlier in the week at the Peace Bridge in a similar commercial shipment also manifested as “paper”. This brings the total to over 3,000 lbs. of marijuana in a 24-hour period, with an estimated street value of more than $6 million dollars.
the Buffalo, N.Y. Port of Entry.
“The Officers assigned to the Port of Buffalo continue to demonstrate their steadfast dedication to intercepting illegal contraband," said Acting Buffalo Port Director Gaetano Cordone. “I am proud of their commitment to secure our border and the excellent collaboration we have with our partners at HSI.”
These seizures are currently under investigation by HSI.
“HSI stands with our CBP partners to interdict and eliminate the flow of illegal drugs entering into our ports of entry," said Matthew Scarpino, Deputy Special Agent in Charge of HSI Buffalo. “HSI will continue to investigate these significant seizures to diminish these transnational threats.”
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