CBP Officers Thwart Major Ecstasy Smuggling Attempt

Rouses Point, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Field Operations today announced the seizure of approximately 40 pounds of methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), better known as the club-drug “Ecstasy.” The seizure resulted in the arrest of a Canadian citizen.

On Jan. 31, CBP officers encountered 37-year-old David Tremblay, a Canadian citizen from Mont Tremblant, Quebec, as he applied for admission into the United States at the Rouses Point, N.Y. port of entry. Mr. Tremblay made a negative declaration and advised CBP that he was traveling to New Jersey. Mr. Tremblay exhibited nervousness during his primary interview and had difficulty answering additional questions related to his itinerary. Due to these reasons, Mr. Tremblay was referred for a secondary enforcement exam.

In secondary, an inspection was performed on the subject’s vehicle utilizing a CBP narcotics detection canine. The CBP canine alerted to the presence of a narcotic odor emanating from the floor of the vehicle storage area. CBP officers examined this area and revealed a false floor containing blue and pink pills in plastic bags. The pills field tested positive for properties of MDMA. The bags were found to contain approximately 60,000 pills with a weight of approximately 40 pounds.

“The Ecstasy seized by CBP has a street value of approximately $1.5 million,” said Champlain Port Director Paul Mongillo. "This significant interception of Ecstasy has prevented a very dangerous drug from reaching our streets."

Mr. Tremblay was arrested on federal charges of importation and possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance and turned over to agents from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation and prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.