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  4. CBP Officers Arrest Prior Felon for Gun Possession

CBP Officers Arrest Prior Felon for Gun Possession

Release Date
Mon, 11/25/2024

Wrong turn doesn’t end well for commercial vehicle operator

LEWISTON, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Entry seized a firearm in a commercial vehicle that was encountered at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing.

Yesterday, CBP officers encountered a commercial truck operated by a 62-year-old United States citizen. The driver was attempting to travel to Michigan with a commercial shipment and followed his GPS device inadvertently to the Canadian border but lacked paperwork to travel through Canada. The driver was denied entry into Canada and returned to the United States where upon initial examination he declared a firearm and was subsequently escorted for a secondary examination.

Lewiston, N.Y. Bridge border crossing between the United States and Canada.
Lewiston, N.Y. Bridge border crossing between the United States and Canada.

During the secondary examination, officers located the Hi-Point C9 semi-automatic 9mm pistol along with forty rounds of 9mm ammunition. It was determined that the driver, who currently resides in the state of Louisiana, unlawfully possessed the firearm due to prior felony convictions prohibiting possession of firearms.

“Our CBP Officers maintain their vigilance while screening travelers entering the United States,” said Area Port Director Gaetano Cordone. “Together with our State and Local partners, we were successful in arresting this felon and removing a firearm off our streets.” 

The driver was taken into custody and subsequently processed by CBP officers. After processing, the firearm and driver were turned over to the New York State Police facing a felony charge for criminal possession of a weapon.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

Last Modified: Nov 25, 2024