$2.2 Million Ecstasy Smuggling Attempt Thwarted
Arizona Free Press
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Buffalo, N.Y. Approximately 75 pounds of methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), better known as the club-drug ecstasy was seized in New York. The seizure resulted in the arrest of a Canadian citizen.
In September, CBP officers encountered Leonard Beasley, a 57-year-old Canadian citizen from Downsview, Ontario, as he applied for admission into the United States at the Peace Bridge border crossing in Buffalo, New York. The subject advised CBP officers that he was en route to a local hospital for a follow-up exam by his physician. Additional questioning of Beasley aroused the suspicion of the CBP officer and he was referred for a secondary enforcement exam.
CBP officers in Buffalo seized these Ecstasy pills, valued at $2.2 million
During the inspection of subjects vehicle, CBP officers utilized a portable contraband detector device known as a Buster that locates density anomalies concealed behind opaque surfaces, such as door panels and fuel tanks. A higher than normal reading was detected on the vehicles spare tire. The tire was removed from the vehicle and there was a noticeable weight difference from that of an average tire. A subsequent gamma-ray scan revealed several anomalies. The spare tire was cut open, revealing 14 vacuum-sealed bags of pills. Further inspection of the vehicle revealed an additional eight vacuum- sealed bags of pills secreted under the rear seat. The bags, which contained approximately 111,330 pills with a weight of 75 pounds, later field-tested positive for MDMA.
The ecstasy seized by CBP has a street value of approximately $2.2 million, stated Helen Sterling, CBP Acting Director of Field Operations for the Buffalo Field Office. "This interception of ecstasy has prevented a very dangerous drug from reaching our streets."
Beasley was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was turned over to agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of New York.
CBP officers in Buffalo seized these Ecstasy pills, valued at $2.2 million
During the inspection of subjects vehicle, CBP officers utilized a portable contraband detector device known as a Buster that locates density anomalies concealed behind opaque surfaces, such as door panels and fuel tanks. A higher than normal reading was detected on the vehicles spare tire. The tire was removed from the vehicle and there was a noticeable weight difference from that of an average tire. A subsequent gamma-ray scan revealed several anomalies. The spare tire was cut open, revealing 14 vacuum-sealed bags of pills. Further inspection of the vehicle revealed an additional eight vacuum- sealed bags of pills secreted under the rear seat. The bags, which contained approximately 111,330 pills with a weight of 75 pounds, later field-tested positive for MDMA.
The ecstasy seized by CBP has a street value of approximately $2.2 million, stated Helen Sterling, CBP Acting Director of Field Operations for the Buffalo Field Office. "This interception of ecstasy has prevented a very dangerous drug from reaching our streets."
Beasley was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was turned over to agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of New York.