Unique items seized at border in 2019
Fake Viagra, fur coats and even people among items blocked by customs
U.S. border officials have released a list of the top 10 unique seizures and arrests made in 2019, including several at Niagara border crossings.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the seizures represent “the vast array of threats encountered in both the commercial and passenger environments.”
“The CBP officers within Buffalo Field Operations work tirelessly to protect our nation’s security,” said CBP spokesperson LaFonda Sutton-Burke.
“This list is just a small snapshot of the outstanding work they do day in and day out,” Sutton-Burke added.
The top 10 of 2019 are:
10: September
Officers in Massena, N.Y., thwarted a smuggling attempt involving two Israeli citizens.
9: June
Officers in Champlain, N.Y., discovered 16 fur coats, valued at $76,000, in a commercial shipment. The items were seized for violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulations.
8: December
Officers in Rochester, N.Y., examined a commercial shipment manifested as a “plastic bottle.” Upon examining the shipment, agents seized 5,700 counterfeit Viagra pills valued at $404,000.
7: August
Officers in Buffalo, N.Y., seized
124 kilograms of marijuana in a commercial shipment of clothing destined for the New York City area.
6: October
Officers in Rochester, N.Y., seized a counterfeit Richard Mille Limited Edition Tourbillion Pablo MacDonough watch that had a suggested retail price of just more than $1 million. The shipment was manifested as an “accessory” and valued at $5. The shipment was seized for violation of merchandise infringing on an American trademark.
5: December
Officers in Champlain, N.Y., confiscated a violin that a U.S. citizen was attempting to import and sell via eBay. The man admitted to buying and importing violins from China for $49, then re-labelling them, claiming the origin to be Andalucia, Spain, and selling them at a much higher value.
4: March
Officers in Buffalo, N.Y., seized four shipments of fentanyl in commercial shipments that were manifested as “child’s toy.” Examination of the shipments revealed clay with nasal spray concealed inside which contained 28 grams of fentanyl.
3: December
Officers in Buffalo, N.Y., seized 26 shipments of bobble head toys. The toys were filled with testosterone and steroids.
2: June
Officers in Champlain, N.Y., discovered THC oil, THC spray, marijuana, and THC capsules concealed within a false bottom of a Pringles can.
1: April
Officers detained rapper Kodak Black and his entourage at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge. A search of two vehicles led to the discovery of four handguns, a loaded magazine and a quantity of marijuana. Kodak Black and three other men were arrested on weapons charges.