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  4. Swanton Border Patrol Awards NY Law Enforcement Agencies more than $36K in Asset Share

Swanton Border Patrol Awards NY Law Enforcement Agencies more than $36K in Asset Share

Release Date
Fri, 07/27/2018

SWANTON, Vt. – The U.S. Border Patrol Swanton Sector awarded three New York law enforcement agencies with disbursements totaling $36,020.16.

On September 9, 2017, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Ogdensburg Station encountered a black Chevrolet Impala in Heuvelton, New York.  The vehicle failed to yield when agents activated their emergency lights.  The driver of the vehicle lost control after failing to negotiate a turn, went off the roadway and into a pasture.  The driver then fled on foot into a large corn field.  Border Patrol Agents from the Ogdensburg and Massena New York stations, the New York State Police (NYSP), St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO) and the Ogdensburg Police Department (OPD) all responded to assist.  During the recovery of the vehicle and search for the suspect, $38,239 in United States currency was discovered in the vehicle and in surrounding fields.  The money was administratively forfeited on January 17, 2018 and a percentage was awarded to the three agencies in June through the Equitable Sharing Program.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent surveys the international boundary with Canada.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent surveys the
international boundary with Canada.

In June the NYSP also received a percentage of an administratively forfeited $10,000 that was seized on February 9, 2017.  On that day Border Patrol agents assigned to the Massena Station were conducting operations on New York State Highway 310 near Madrid, New York.  During a joint vehicle stop by Border Patrol agents and NYSP Troopers, the driver was found to be in possession of $10,000 United States currency.  The currency was seized for violations of 18 United States Code 981 and 18 United States Code 1956.

“Swanton Sector Border Patrol depends on the close and continued collaboration with our federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners to accomplish its mission to secure the border.  Partnerships with NYSP, SLCSO, and OPD are critical to the success of the Swanton Sector,” said Swanton Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia.  “This partnership exemplifies the spirit of cooperation shared by federal and local law enforcement agencies, where mutual aid between agencies is essential for the continued safety and efficiency of law enforcement officers.”

“The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is proud to work with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in our Homeland Security missions,” said St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin Wells.  “It is through this open sharing and collaboration that we are able to cover this large patrol area and provide for sound law enforcement practice to our communities.”

The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York. The coordination with assistance of citizens is invaluable to the Border Patrol's border security mission and we welcome community members' help to keep our nation’s borders safe. Please report suspicious activity at 1-800-689-3362.

For more on Customs and Border Protection’s mission at our nation’s ports of entry with CBP officers and along U.S. borders with Border Patrol agents, please visit the Border Security section of the CBP website.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021