‘New Criminal’ – Three Arrested In NY After Drones Used To Smuggle Drugs Across Niagara River From Canada
Buffalo, New York – A criminal complaint filed this week claims that a drug smuggling enterprise utilized drones to fly cocaine across the Niagara River from Canada into upstate New York, using a recently purchased $630,000 residence along the river as a drop point.
Following an investigation that began in September 2022, one person has entered a guilty plea and two others are facing prosecution. Agents from the U.S. Border Patrol traced a drone during its nocturnal journey from a posh neighborhood on the American side of the border to the area around an Ontario vineyard and back.
A package hung from the drone’s chassis on the return trip to the residence in Youngstown, New York, as per a court document. The drone hovered over the backyard before settling close to the suspects, where law enforcement personnel were waiting.
Investigators added that around 6 1/2 pounds (3 kg) of MDMA, sometimes known as ecstasy, was discovered inside the shipment.
The lawsuit stated that after a search of the premises, many drones and controllers were found, but virtually no furniture—just mattresses on the floor—was found.
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Prior to the flight in September 2022, there had been five cross-border flights, according to data from the drones. According to the complaint, the first one happened in May 2022, one month after the house was bought in the name of one of the suspect’s relatives. In Youngstown, the Niagara River is roughly 550 meters (1,800 ft) broad.
According to the complaint, two of the suspects—who are from New York City and California—are thought to have traveled briefly to Buffalo in order to carry out the drone flights.
On Wednesday, the resident of New York City made an appearance in Buffalo’s U.S. District Court over allegations of drug use and conspiracy. A bond was given for his release.
In February, another suspect entered a guilty plea.