GRAND ISLAND, N.Y.—Buffalo Sector Border Patrol agents made nineteen arrests over the past weekend. Five of the individuals arrested have criminal histories in the United States, while three more of the individuals had previously been ordered removed from the United States.
On Friday morning, April 19, agents from the Rochester station arrested a male from Saint Lucia. The individual was in possession of marijuana, a scale, and miniature Ziploc bags. Record checks at the station also revealed the individual to have a criminal history in the United States for possession of stolen property. The individual was processed for removal and the narcotics were turned over to the DEA.
On Saturday afternoon agents from the Niagara Falls Station responded to assist the Niagara Falls Police Department as they detained eight subjects suspected of shoplifting. Agents determined one of the individuals to be illegally in the United States. At the station, record checks revealed that the female, a citizen of the Bahamas, was a convicted felon. The individual was processed for removal and will appear before an immigration judge.
At approximately 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning, Niagara Falls agents arrested a citizen of Canada shortly after he entered the country illegally. Border Patrol cameras spotted an individual wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase crossing the closed portion of the Whirlpool Bridge in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Agents were able to locate the individual a short distance from the bridge. The male subject had been previously removed from the United States in February and will now face federal prosecution for re-entry after deportation. Following his criminal proceedings, the individual's prior order of removal will be reinstated and he will be removed to Canada.
A citizen of India with a criminal history in the United States was arrested by agents from the Rochester Station Sunday night. During processing the individual claimed to have used a smuggler to enter the United States illegally at the U.S./Mexico border. The individual was arrested and processed for removal.
Through the vigilance of Border Patrol agents, integration with local law enforcement partners, and the use of technology, agents in Buffalo Sector were able to make significant arrests, in the border communities, to secure America's borders.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (800) 331-0353 toll free.