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Smuggling Attempt Foiled at Peace Bridge Port of Entry
Buffalo, NY – In a brazen attempt to smuggle aliens into the United States, three individuals were arrested and charged with various crimes at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry.
According to court documents, Tonin Ndoja, 50, a citizen of Canada, is accused of bringing in aliens in exchange for financial gain, a crime punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Ndoja, a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card holder and member of the trusted traveler program, was driving a tractor trailer carrying rolled steel when he was stopped for a secondary inspection on November 12, 2014. During the inspection, Customs and Border Protection officers discovered Bardok Tusha, 30, and his wife Kleda Tusha, 20, both citizens of Albania, hiding inside the cab of the tractor trailer under a blanket.
“It is the responsibility of our Office, along with our federal partners, to protect the flow of traffic across our international crossings,” said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul. “Whether it be illegal narcotics, commerce, or in this case human beings, we will vigorously prosecute this and any other attempts to subvert the law at our local borders.”
Tonin Ndoja made an initial appearance on November 13, 2014 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being detained. He is due back in court on December 4, 2014. Bardok and Kleda Tusha also made an initial appearance and pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of illegal entry. They were sentenced to time served.
The case is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Randy Howe.
The fact that the defendants have been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Human Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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