Jason Ng, Smuggling Marijuana, New York 2019

Two men, Jason Ng, 59, of Woodside, NY, and Can Ren Li, 56, of Norwich, CT, have been arrested and charged with smuggling marijuana into the United States.

The duo was arrested on August 12, 2019 at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry in Niagara Falls, NY, after attempting to enter the country from Canada.

According to the complaint, Ng and Li were in a vehicle bearing New Jersey temporary license plates and declared that they had spent one night at the casino and were returning to Buffalo.

However, a Customs and Border Protection Officer noticed that both defendants had frequent border crossings at different ports of entry in different plated vehicles.

During secondary inspection, the defendants stated that they did not have any alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, or any other illicit drugs, but a K9 dog alerted to the side door of the van, as well as the five tires in the back of the van.

An x-ray exam was conducted on the tires which showed compacted material inside the empty space of the tires. A drill was used to probe the tires and multiple plastic bags of suspected marijuana were discovered.

The defendants made an initial appearance this morning before U. S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. Defendant Li was released on conditions. Defendant Ng was released on $25,000 bond.

The charges against Ng and Li carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/two-men-arrested-charged-smuggling-marijuana-united-states