CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations has compiled its top 10 seizures and arrests for 2015 at the Area Port of Champlain. The list of seizures underscores the important role CBP officers play in protecting the country.
Port of Champlain
“The CBP officers at the Port of Champlain work tirelessly to protect our nation’s security,” said Area Port Director Paul Mongillo. “This list is just a small picture of the tremendous work they do day in and day out.”
The following seizures represent the array of threats encountered at the Area Port of Champlain in both the commercial and passenger environments. They further portray the efforts of CBP employees to prevent the import of illegal items and protect the commerce of the U.S.
In order by date, the top 10 seizures and arrests for the Port of Champlain in 2015 are:
- January 4, 2015 - CURRENCY SEIZURE OF $24,671
CBP officers inspecting passengers onboard the Amtrak train at Rouses Point, N.Y., encountered a female U.S. citizen who stated she was coming back from Cuba. The subject had marked “no” to question 13 on Form 6059B (Customs Declaration) that she had filled out and signed, thus declaring that she was not in possession of over $10,000 U.S. dollars or its equivalent. The subject was sent for a secondary examination to verify she had no prohibited Cuban goods in her possession. During examination, it was discovered that she was travelling with $24,671 in unreported currency hidden in her luggage.
- February 21, 2015 - COUNTERFEIT AND CONFUSINGLY SIMILAR PERFUME
CBP Import Specialists at the Port of Champlain held a shipment of over 5,500 bottles of perfume for further examination. Closer inspection revealed that over 4,500 of the bottles were counterfeit, bearing marks that were identical or nearly indistinguishable from registered trademarks. The perfume, with an MSRP of over $440,000, was seized.
- April 20, 2015 – CURRENCY SEIZURE OF $122,687
CBP officers at the Port of Champlain referred a 75-year-old Canadian female for secondary inspection to verify the answers she gave during primary inspection to basic questions. During the secondary inspection, a search resulted in the discovery of unreported currency totaling $122,686 U.S. dollars and its equivalent hidden in luggage. The currency was seized.
- June 1, 2015 – CURRENCY SEIZURE OF $38,220
CBP Officers at the Port of Champlain referred two Canadian-born sisters, who each declared $10,000 dollars in Canadian Currency, for a secondary inspection. During the secondary inspection, it was discovered that they were structuring money for a third individual, who was also applying for admission to the U.S., to avoid reporting requirements. Further examination revealed that the money had been obtained by taking out cash advances from credit cards with no intention of repayment. In total, $38,220 dollars in Canadian currency was seized.
- July 7, 2015 – SEIZURE OF ANTIQUE ARTIFACTS
CBP Import Specialists at the Port of Champlain targeted and held a shipment for further inspection. The shipment of eighteen items, dating from around 500 B.C to 200 A.D., was held and the paperwork examined. Items included Antique Greek and Roman pottery, art and other collectible items. Further inspection revealed that the items did not meet the requirements of 19CFR12.104b & 12.104g, which impose import restrictions on articles of cultural property. The shipment, valued at $92,000, was seized.
- July 15, 2015 - SEIZURE OF 20 FRAUDULENT GIFT CARDS
CBP officers at the Port of Champlain referred two male Canadian citizens for a secondary exam, which resulted in the discovery of twenty credit gift cards whose data had been altered. The cards were seized and the subject who claimed their possession was arrested and turned over to the New York State Police.
- September 2, 2015 – SEIZURE OF METHAMPHETAMINE AND ECSTASY PILLS
CBP officers at the Port of Champlain referred a cargo shipment for further examination. A physical exam of the shipment resulted in the discovery of 227 pills of methamphetamine and 195 pills of MDMA (Ecstasy). The pills were seized.
- November 11, 2015 - ARREST OF INDIVIDUAL FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN CREDIT CARD DATA
CBP officers at the Port of Champlain, during the secondary examination of a male Canadian citizen, discovered an electronic file containing over 100 credit card numbers and account information. The phone containing the stolen information was seized and the subject was arrested and turned over to the New York State Police.
- December 4, 2015 – SEIZURE OF XANAX PILLS
CBP officers at the Port of Champlain referred a cargo shipment for further inspection. Secondary inspection revealed the shipment to be mislabeled and it was found to contain 384 Xanax pills. Additional research revealed eleven other similar shipments. All shipments were subsequently inspected, leading to the seizure of an additional 4,129 Xanax pills.
- December 5, 2015 - SEIZURE OF 1,799 TABLETS OF EPHEDRINE
CBP officers working at the Port of Champlain referred a returning U.S. citizen for a secondary exam. The secondary exam resulted in the discovery of over 1,700 tablets of Ephedrine hidden under a seat in the rental car. The tablets were seized.