(WNY News Now) – Rochester – Mohamed Patel, 39, of Ontario, CA, has been charged with a serious federal crime following an extensive investigation into alleged morphine smuggling operations.
Mohamed Patel, a 39-year-old resident of Ontario, California, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to import morphine and conspiracy to possess morphine with intent to distribute. The charges, announced today by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, could result in up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine if Patel is convicted.
According to the criminal complaint, Patel has been implicated in a sophisticated scheme to transport large quantities of morphine from India into the Western District of New York. Since January 2021, Patel allegedly worked with a network of individuals to import the controlled substance via John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. The morphine was then allegedly shipped to Canada.
Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine revealed that Patel used a series of truck drivers, including Bashir Kasozi, to facilitate these shipments. On August 23, 2024, 62 packages containing morphine were delivered to Kasozi. Shortly thereafter, Customs and Border Protection Officers arrested Kasozi at the Lewiston Port of Entry, where the packages were discovered.
The investigation was spearheaded by Customs and Border Protection, led by Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. The ongoing investigation aims to dismantle the network involved in the alleged trafficking operation.
It is important to note that a charge is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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