Nearly 2 Tons of Marijuana Seized at the Port of Buffalo
After months of record drug busts, smugglers do not seem to care that they are getting caught. Just last week, another massive smuggling attempt was thwarted when Customs and Border Patrol officers discovered nearly two tons of marijuana hidden in a commercial shipment.
On August 10th, CBP officers assigned to the Peace Bridge selected a commercial shipment that was said to contain 7 skids of lighting for secondary inspection. During their secondary inspection, 14 wooden pallet boxes were discovered. In each box, CBP officers discovered that many if these cardboard boxes contained vacuum sealed packages of marijuana.
In all, CBP officials discovered 3,836 lbs. of marijuana estimated to have a street value of more than $8 million according to the press release. According to our figures, this drug bust breaks the June smuggling attempt of 3,300 lbs of marijuana by an Indian citizen who resided in Canada. That bust, which was reported as the largest drug smuggling attempt ever though any of the Buffalo area ports. That truck driver was released without charges several days after being arrested.
There was no word on the disposition of the trucker involved in the most recent marijuana haul.
“These CBP Officers have remained vigilant and engaged as travel restrictions at the border continue”, said Port Director Jennifer De La O. “They have never let their guard down and their discovery of another large marijuana seizure exemplifies their dedication to the CBP mission.”
This seizure adds to the steady increase in drug seizures within the Buffalo Field Office. From October 1, 2019 through August 10, 2020, ports within the Buffalo Field Office, which covers 16 ports of entry throughout New York State, have made over 1,500 narcotic seizures totaling more than 27,000 pounds.
