Rochester man arrested at Peace Bridge with cocaine and ghost gun
Luis Amed Colon Molina, 42, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity.
According to the complaint, on August 14, 2021, Colon Molina was encountered at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry after making a wrong turn onto the bridge. He initially headed towards Canada but turned around and came back through United States Customs.
During primary inspection, Colon Molina stated that he was following his GPS and made a wrong turn onto the bridge. He also claimed that he and his wife, who was also in the car, live in Rochester, and were attempting to eat Puerto Rican food in Buffalo.
When asked by a Customs and Border Protection officer, Colon Molina stated that he did not have any narcotics or weapons. However, a random trunk examination revealed several baggies containing a white powder substance inside a gray fanny pack.
Colon Molina and his wife were then referred for a secondary inspection. Once in customs secondary, Colon Molina stated that he was in possession of a pocket-knife in the vehicle but again provided a negative declaration for firearms and drugs.
During a search of the defendant’s vehicle, the gray fanny pack was removed from the trunk. In addition to the baggies containing a white powder substance, officers also found a digital scale with white powder residue inside the fanny pack.
The substance was field-tested resulting in a positive presence of cocaine. Officers also recovered a loaded 9mm, Polymer 80 handgun in the vehicle’s glove box. The gun did not have a serial number and is considered a “Ghost Gun.”
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of life. The criminal 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 Kevin Kelly.
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.
Related Federal Cases
- Lawrence Destefano, Illicit Ghost Gun Shipping, New York NY, 2024 · New York
- New York Community Bancorp Takes Over Signature Bridge Bank Deposits · New York
- FDIC Takes Control of Signature Bank, Establishes Bridge Bank · New York
- Akintunde Campbell Fatal Police Encounter, Rochester NY, 2025 · New York
- King Convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin Cocaine and Metha… · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Cybercrime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
