Related Federal Cases
- Worcester Nurse Lea Roberge Pleads Guilty to Morphine Theft · Texas
- Rosa-Sanchez, Cocaine Trafficking, Utica NY, 2024 · Texas
- No Defendant Name Found, Narcotics Distribution, Rutland VT, 2024 · Vermont
- United States Attorney’s Office, Drug Distribution, Rutland VT, 2023 · Vermont
- Norris Williams Sentenced to 30 Years for Heroin Distribution, Fort… · New York
Bashir Kasozi Charged with Importation of Morphine, Buffalo NY, 2024
Buffalo, NY – In a shocking turn of events, a 41-year-old Ontario truck driver has been arrested and charged with importation of morphine and possession with intent to distribute. The defendant, Bashir Kasozi, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
According to the complaint, on the evening of August 23, 2024, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry encountered a commercial truck with Ontario plates being driven by Kasozi. During the outbound inspection, Kasozi told a CBP Officer that he was in the United States for three days, coming from Massachusetts with a load of paper. Asked if he had anything to declare, to include prescription or nonprescription narcotics, currency over $10,000, weapons of any kind, or if anyone else was in the vehicle with him, Kasozi stated no.
Kasozi was then referred for secondary inspection. A scan of the truck detected an anomaly in the nose of the trailer by the front wall. A subsequent search of that area revealed a skid of 62 brown taped packages. One of the boxes was searched and found to contain a smaller gold box with a glass vial inside. The glass vials were found to contain morphine.
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.
Bashir Kasozi made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Romer and was held pending a detention hearing on September 4, 2024.
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.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking