Ontario Man Arrested, Charged With Attempting To Smuggle Marijuana Into The United States

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Ajaypal Dhillon, 22, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and importing marijuana into the United States. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on the afternoon of Thursday, July 27, 2023, CBP Officers at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry encountered a semi-trailer operated by Dhillon at the primary inspection point. Dhillon presented customs documentation indicating a shipment of frozen waffles destined for a grocery store warehouse in Georgia. The shipper of the alleged waffles confirmed that the shipment was fraudulent, and the shipment was put on hold, while Dhillon was referred for a secondary inspection. During a physical exam of the cargo, boxes containing approximately 948 kilograms of a green leafy substance, consistent with that of marijuana, were located. In addition, 50 kilograms of ketamine were also discovered. Investigators identified Dhillon after CBP learned of five prior fraudulent shipments driven by Dhillon into the United States. 

Dhillon appeared at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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