Last month, authorities at the U.S.-Canada boundary intercepted a large consignment of marijuana disguised as a popular breakfast food for kids.
On Friday, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross revealed that “Ajaypal Dhillon, 22, from Scarborough, Ontario, faces charges of intending to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana and attempting to smuggle it into the U.S.” If convicted, Dhillon could face a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment, with the potential of up to 40 years and a penalty of $5,000,000.
Reports from Friday highlighted that on July 27, officers from Customs and Border Protection halted a semi-truck driven by Dhillon at the main checkpoint of the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, a major crossing between Canada and the U.S. close to Buffalo, New York.
Dhillon initially mentioned he was merely ferrying frozen food items.
“He provided customs papers suggesting a delivery of frozen waffles meant for a supermarket storage facility in Georgia. However, the source of these so-called waffles confirmed the delivery as deceptive. Consequently, the goods were temporarily retained, leading Dhillon to a further detailed check,” the statement noted. “Upon inspecting the cargo, approximately 948 kilograms of a substance resembling marijuana, and an additional 50 kilograms of ketamine, were unearthed. After this, investigators linked Dhillon to five other suspicious deliveries made previously to the U.S.”
The statement also mentioned that “Dhillon was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and has since been held in custody.”
It’s worth noting that while recreational cannabis is legalized in Canada and an expanding number of U.S. states, including New York, transporting it across borders remains illegal.
As a cautionary note, the Canada Border Services Agency alerted the public in June about the consequences of attempting to transport cannabis across borders, even if procured legally.
“Importing cannabis in any form, be it oils infused with THC or CBD, without a permit from Health Canada is a severe offense, leading to potential arrest and prosecution. Legalization in Canada doesn’t negate the need for this permit, and a medical prescription doesn’t equate to authorization,” mentioned the organization in a press statement.
However, some still risk the endeavor, like a 60-year-old American who, in June, inadvertently reached a U.S.-Canada border checkpoint with about 400 pounds of cannabis due to GPS misdirection.
“On May 2, 2023, the American individual was misled by incorrect GPS instructions, causing him to mistakenly queue up at the Canada Border Services Agency’s Rainbow Bridge port in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Since he lacked a passport, further inspection was mandated. During this, officers found 181 kg of cannabis, estimated between $362,000 CAD and $724,000 CAD, along with over $600,000 US dollars (equivalent to $816,167 CAD). The individual was taken into custody, and the cannabis and cash were confiscated. The RCMP Niagara on the Lake Federal Policing Border Integrity Team (RCMP BI) then assumed responsibility,” stated the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in their release.
“Further examination by the RCMP BI Team revealed the cash and cannabis strategically hidden in the vehicle. The cannabis was vacuum-sealed and packed in multiple containers. Meanwhile, the cash was split into various bundles and concealed in items like a secure vault, luggage, and a sturdy lockable container.”
CHECK THIS: Driver Accidentally Crosses U.S.-Canada Border with Nearly 400 Pounds of Pot
Lmaoo cannabis infused waffles