Border agents seize 2,000 pounds of weed disguised as frozen waffles

Officials working at the US-Canada border late last month seized a huge shipment of marijuana that at first glance looked like an eight-year-old’s favorite breakfast item.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced Friday that “Ajaypal Dhillon, 22, of Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, has been arrested and charged with a criminal charge of possessing 100 kilograms or more of marijuana and importing marijuana into the United States became. and that the indictment carries “a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.”

According to Friday’s announcement, the arrest and arrest occurred on July 27 when Customs and Border Protection officers were “at the main checkpoint” of the Peace Bridge Port of Entry, a bridge connecting Canada and the United States, “on one of Dhillon operated articulated lorries”. Buffalo, NY.

Dhillon allegedly claimed he was merely transporting some frozen groceries.

“Dhillon produced customs documents showing a shipment of frozen waffles was destined for a Georgia food storage facility. The consignor of the alleged waffles confirmed the shipment was fraudulent and the shipment was held back while Dhillon was referred for a second inspection,” the announcement said. “A physical examination of the cargo revealed boxes containing approximately 948 kilograms of a green leafy substance [or 2,089 pounds], consistent with those of marijuana, have been found. In addition, 50 kilograms of ketamine were also discovered. Investigators identified Dhillon after CBP learned of five previous fraudulent shipments by Dhillon to the United States.”

The announcement said, “Dhillon appeared before U.S. Judge Michael J. Roemer at a detention hearing and was arrested.”

Recreational cannabis is legal in Canada and a growing number of states in the US, including New York.

However, that doesn’t mean you should cross the line with weed—even if it’s legally purchased.

The Canada Border Services Agency commemorated this in late June, just ahead of Canada Day and America’s Independence Day.

“The importation of cannabis across the border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a Health Canada-approved permit or exemption is a serious criminal offense despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada can be arrested and prosecuted.” . A medical prescription from a physician does not constitute approval from Health Canada,” the agency said in a press release.

But despite these warnings, there are still many trying to smuggle people.

That was the case of a 60-year-old American man traveling with about 400 pounds of cannabis in June when his GPS inadvertently guided him to an entry point between the US and Canada.

“On May 2, 2023, an American driver followed incorrectly entered GPS coordinates. He made a wrong turn and ended up in the border queue at the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Rainbow Bridge port of entry in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Since the driver did not have a passport, he was referred for a secondary examination. Upon inspection, CBSA officers discovered 181 kg of cannabis (worth between $362,000 and $724,000) and over $600,000 (worth $816,167). CBSA officers arrested the driver and confiscated cash and cannabis. The case was then referred to the RCMP Niagara on the Lake Federal Policing Border Integrity Team (RCMP BI),” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a press release.

“The RCMP BI team investigated the cash and the cannabis. The items were in different places in the car. The cannabis was vacuum packed and divided into numerous boxes. The cash was also broken up into bundles and found hidden in a safe, a suitcase and a pelican case (lockable hard case).”