Raminderjit Assi, Marijuana Importation, New York 2023

Buffalo, N.Y. Man Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Marijuana into the US via Helicopter

BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a brazen attempt to bring marijuana into the United States, Raminderjit Assi, 28, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to importation of marijuana into the United States.

The maximum penalty for this crime carries a prison sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine. Assi’s actions were a clear violation of US law, and his guilty plea serves as a warning to others who would attempt to smuggle illicit substances into our country.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, Assi and a co-conspirator researched methods of smuggling marijuana into the United States, including by helicopter. They obtained a helicopter and helicopter pilot licenses, and on April 9, 2019, they flew a helicopter from Canada into US airspace, specifically, Beaver Island Park on Grand Island, NY.

After leaving four red duffle bags containing a total of 49 kilograms of marijuana, Assi and his co-conspirator turned off the transponder on the helicopter, failed to check-in with required towers, and failed to submit a required flight plan. Surveillance footage from the helipad in Canada revealed that they prepared and operated the helicopter at take-off and returned in the helicopter after the illegal incursion.

Assi later admitted he had flown the helicopter, and the evidence against him was overwhelming. The investigation was conducted 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.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 16, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra. The outcome of this case serves as a reminder that those who attempt to smuggle illicit substances into the US will face severe consequences.

Assi’s full name was provided as the defendant in this case. The exact charges against Assi are importation of marijuana into the United States. The city and state involved in this case are Buffalo, NY. The exact date of the crime is April 9, 2019. The sentence or outcome of this case is pending, but the maximum penalty carries a prison sentence of five years and a $250,000 fine.

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