BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ajaypal Dhillon, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and importing marijuana into the United States. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
According to the complaint, on July 27, 2023, CBP Officers at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry encountered a semi-trailer operated by Dhillon. He presented customs documentation indicating a shipment of frozen waffles destined for a grocery store warehouse in Georgia. The shipper confirmed the shipment was fraudulent, and Dhillon was referred for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, approximately 948 kilograms of marijuana and 50 kilograms of ketamine were discovered. Dhillon had made five prior fraudulent shipments.
Dhillon appeared at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained. The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.
On May 13, 2024, Dhillon, who was convicted of smuggling merchandise into the United States, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. Dhillon drove a commercial tractor-trailer to the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, claiming to transport frozen waffles. The shipment was confirmed fraudulent during secondary inspection, revealing over 2000 pounds of marijuana and 50 kilograms of ketamine. Dhillon had made five prior fraudulent trips, four involving candy and one involving waffles.
The investigation was conducted by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.
PREVIOUSLY: Border Patrol Intercepts 2,000 Pounds of Marijuana Hidden in Frozen Waffles
