Border stop in Massena nets $1.5m in Ecstasy
MASSENA — The star-shaped drugs resembling the marshmallows in Lucky Charms weren't destined for cereal bowls.
Two Ontario residents face federal drug charges for allegedly attempting to smuggle about $1.5 million in Ecstasy across the border at the Massena port of entry.
Customs and Border Protection officers Wednesday night stopped Cornwall Island residents Mitchell David, 53, and Silas Benedict, 50. A closer inspection of their pickup truck found 50 sandwich bags containing about 50,000 star-shaped Ecstasy tablets stuffed in a spare tire. Each pill has a street value of about $30.
"This interception has prevented a very dangerous drug from reaching our streets," said James T. Engleman, director of field operations for Customs and Border Protection's Buffalo Field Office.
Customs agents used a hand-held density meter called a "Buster," which can reveal hidden compartments in a vehicle. The device located the drugs in the spare tire.
Both men were charged with importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance. The destination for the Ecstasy pills wasn't known.
"They are definitely unique, I've never seen shapes like them before," Chief CBP Officer Kevin A. Corsaro said. "I have seen symbols put on them before, but this is a first."
The south span of the Seaway International Bridge is open to traffic coming from Cornwall Island to Massena, but closed in the other direction.
The bridge across the St. Lawrence River has been closed since June 1 when Canadian border officers left the Customs building on Cornwall Island. The St. Regis Mohawk tribe has protested the arming of Canadian customs agents with guns.
"Our facility is still open," Mr. Corsaro said. "We're processing the cars that come through, but it has been very minimal."
The suspects and drugs were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The pickup truck was also seized. The U.S. Attorney's office in Syracuse is handling the prosecution. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending.
"This was a big seizure for us at the Massena port of entry," Mr. Corsaro said.
In November, the U.S. Border Patrol stopped two vehicles at the Fort Covington port of entry and seized about 42 pounds of Ecstasy, which contained about 58,000 Ecstasy pills. Two men were charged. The value of the Ecstasy tablets was estimated at about $1.74 million.
Benoit Goyette, 39, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, pleaded guilty in February in U.S. District Court in Albany to importing a controlled substance. He will be sentenced in December.
Daylan Adams, 25, of 651 Cook Road, Hogansburg, was charged with conspiracy and importing a controlled substance. His trial is scheduled to start in September, federal court records show.
