(WNY News Now) – A navigation mishap at the U.S.-Canada border uncovered a firearm and led to the arrest of a felon prohibited from possessing weapons.
LEWISTON, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers apprehended a 62-year-old U.S. citizen at the Lewiston Bridge border crossing after discovering a firearm in his commercial vehicle.
The driver, attempting to deliver a commercial shipment to Michigan, mistakenly followed his GPS to the Canadian border but lacked the necessary paperwork for entry. Denied by Canadian authorities, he returned to the U.S. and declared possession of a firearm during an initial screening.
CBP officers conducted a secondary inspection, uncovering a Hi-Point C9 semi-automatic 9mm pistol along with 40 rounds of ammunition. Further investigation revealed that the driver, a Louisiana resident, was legally barred from possessing firearms due to prior felony convictions.
“Our CBP Officers maintain their vigilance while screening travelers entering the United States,” said Area Port Director Gaetano Cordone. “Together with our State and Local partners, we were successful in arresting this felon and removing a firearm off our streets.”
The driver was taken into custody, processed by CBP, and subsequently handed over to the New York State Police. He faces felony charges for criminal possession of a weapon. As are all persons accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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