Detroit - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the Ambassador Bridge discovered two kilograms of heroin hidden in the front quarter panel of a car, while officers at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel discovered five kilograms of ecstasy hidden in the rear bumper of another car less than two hours later on June 29.
The first car, driven by a 30-year-old man, was crossing the Ambassador Bridge at approximately 2:30 p.m. when it was selected for further inspection. CBP Officers utilized a portable X-ray truck to inspect the vehicle and found an anomaly in the front quarter panel. A CBP canine team checked the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert to the same area. Officers physically checked the area and found two packages, which contained a white powder. Testing the powder resulted in positive identification as heroin. The man, Ernest Apiah, a Canadian citizen from Toronto, was arrested and turned over to Border Enforcement Security Taskforce agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.
The second car, driven by 31-year-old woman, was entering the country through the Detroit Windsor Tunnel at approximately 4:15 p.m. when it was selected for further inspection. During the secondary inspection, the woman claimed to be returning from Toronto where she had attended a graduation ceremony. Her vehicle was inspected utilizing the Gamma Ray Inspection Device, which found an anomaly in the rear bumper. Canine inspection of the vehicle also resulted in a positive alert to the rear bumper. Officers physically checked the bumper and found it full of colored pills, which tested positive for ecstasy. The woman, Shakevius Stephens, a U.S. citizen from Atlanta was arrested and turned over to Border Enforcement Security Taskforce agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.
"These two drug seizures in less that two hours shows the vigilance and determination of our officers to prevent these drugs from getting into our communities," stated Port Director Roderick Blanchard. "These seizures show how CBP protects our country while helping legitimate travelers as they enter the country at our ports of entry."