According to a report from the official website of the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Thursday, during the Labor Day long weekend, CBP officers stationed at the ports of Buffalo, Champlain, and Massena in New York State carried out multiple arrest operations and intercepted a large amount of drug shipments.
In Buffalo, four suspects were arrested, one in Champlain, and two in Massena. Over four kilograms of drugs were found in two shipments at the Peace Bridge port.
On August 29, 25-year-old Maximus Padilla, a U.S. citizen, was intercepted at the Champlain port of entry. It was discovered that he was previously wanted for a kidnapping felony by the Clarkstown Police Department in New York, with the case recorded in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). After verifying the arrest warrant, Padilla was handed over to the New York State police.
Subsequently, CBP officials at the Peace Bridge port in Buffalo discovered over four kilograms of marijuana in two shipments, one labeled as “sea cucumber” on the customs declaration, and another concealed within jackets to transport the marijuana.
On August 30, CBP officers at the Rainbow Bridge port of entry in Buffalo arrested 29-year-old U.S. citizen Luis Avellanet Rivera, who was found carrying multiple firearms, ammunition, and magazines. Rivera was transferred to the New York State police and charged with illegal possession of weapons.
Additionally, CBP officers conducted two arrest operations at the Massena port of entry. One involved a 31-year-old Native American female who was charged by the New York State police for possession of controlled substances. Later the same day, a 57-year-old Canadian female was found to be holding a dangerous drug warrant issued by the Fort Lauderdale Sheriff’s Office in Broward County, Florida, and was processed for extradition by the New York State police.
On August 31, a 32-year-old U.S. male was discovered at the Rainbow Bridge port of entry due to a Stroud City attack wanted by the National Crime Information Center. After processing, he was handed over to the New York State police.
As the extended weekend came to a close on September 1, a 46-year-old U.S. male was arrested by CBP officers at the Lewiston Bridge port of entry. He had violated probation terms in North Carolina for multiple traffic violations, leading to a warrant issued by the National Crime Information Center. Following this, a 47-year-old U.S. male was wanted by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in Florida for possessing obscene materials. After verification, he was transferred alongside the previous suspect to the New York State police for extradition proceedings.
The Customs and Border Protection agency is the largest federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As the nation’s primary border control organization, its responsibilities include overseeing and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. trade, customs, and immigration laws. CBP is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the United States, with over 45,600 federal agents and law enforcement officers, headquartered in Washington, DC.