Customs And Border Protection Officers Capture Edmonton Murder Fugitive At Washington Border

Lynden, Wash – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of Lynden, Washington have apprehended the suspect in yesterday’s armored-car robbery on the campus of the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The robbery left three dead and a fourth victim in critical condition.

Travis Brandon Baumgartner, 21, was taken into custody shortly after 3 p.m. (PDT) when he arrived at the port of entry in a blue Ford F-150 pickup truck bearing fictitious Alberta license plates. Queries revealed that the subject was a suspect in the robbery and murders, and should be considered “Armed & Dangerous”. CBP officers took immediate custody of Baumgartner removing him the vehicle and secured the suspect in a holding cell.

A search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of no weapons but a backpack containing a large sum of Canadian currency suspected of being the proceeds from the armored car robbery was located.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in their hour of sorrow,” said Lynden Port Director Jose Ortega. “That our CBP officers were able to take a multiple homicide suspect into custody without further loss of life is a tribute to their professionalism and dedication to protecting the American homeland by securing our Nation’s borders.”

Baumgartner was processed for immediate removal from the United States and turned over to the Canadian Border Services Agency and Royal Canadian Mounted Police for extradition.

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 U.S. borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Canadian Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Hydroponic Marijuana Trafficking

PITTSBURGH, PA—A resident of Ontario, Canada, has been sentenced in federal court to 60 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by five years of supervised release on his conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Thang Dinh Le, age 39.

According to information presented to the court, between 2004 and July 2008, a Canadian group smuggled 300 pounds at a time of high-grade, hydroponic marijuana into the United States from Canada. The marijuana was destined for Pittsburgh and six other American cities. It wholesaled for $2,000 or more per pound. with the retail value being in excess of $4,000 per pound. During the conspiracy, millions of dollars in drug proceeds were carried back into Canada.

Le worked within the network that smuggled the marijuana across the U.S.-Canadian border, and worked with the Pittsburgh-area group that distributed the marijuana in Western Pennsylvania. Court-ordered wiretaps in the United States and Canada in 2008 produced recordings discussing drug shipments between the Canadian source and his Pittsburgh buyers. On February11, 2008, Le was apprehended by agents in downtown Pittsburgh and was found to be carrying $226,250 in drug cash, concealed in a briefcase. Agents in Pittsburgh made cash seizures in excess of $1,000,000 in drug proceeds in this case, and their counterparts in Canada seized several million dollars in assets.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (Pittsburgh and Buffalo), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Cleveland), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toronto Area Drug Section, the Asian Organized Crime Task Force of Ontario, and the Canada Border Services Agency, along with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the City of Pittsburgh Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Thang Dinh Le.

CBP U.S. Border Patrol and Canadian Law Enforcement Intercept Human Smuggling Attempt Along St. Lawrence River

Wellesley Island, N.Y. - On June 6, The United States Border Patrol in partnership with the Kingston Royal Canadian Mounted Police intercepted a human smuggling operation on the St. Lawrence River near Lansdowne, Ontario.

The joint enforcement action, which included the Canada Border Services Agency, Ontario Provincial Police and the U.S. Border Patrol, successfully intercepted and disrupted a smuggling organization that was operating between Ontario and northern New York state.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested two citizens of Georgia and one Canadian citizen on the U.S. side of the border. Similarly, Canadian authorities arrested two citizens of Georgia and one Canadian citizen on the Canadian side of the border.

Prosecutions and further investigations are pending in both countries at this time.

The Thousand Islands Integrated Border Enforcement Team is one of fifteen IBET teams across the country located along the U.S. - Canada border. They provide a federally mandated response to national security and criminality along the border.

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.

Canadian Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Drug Trafficking

PITTSBURGH—A resident of Ontario, Canada, has been sentenced in federal court to 72 months’ imprisonment on his conviction of violating federal drug laws, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Kieu Dang Cao, 41.

According to information presented to the court, beginning in 2004 and continuing through July 2008, a Canadian drug trafficking group began smuggling 300 pound loads of high-grade, hydroponic marijuana across the border into the United States, hidden within legitimate commercial cargo. The marijuana was destined for the Pittsburgh area and at least six cities in other states. It wholesaled for $2,000 per pound or more, with the retail or "street" value being several multiples of that.

Cao controlled the network that smuggled the marijuana across the U.S.-Canadian border, and worked with the Pittsburgh-area group that distributed the marijuana in Western Pennsylvania. Court-ordered wiretaps in the United States and Canada in 2008 produced recordings of Cao discussing drug shipments with his Pittsburgh buyers. Agents in Pittsburgh made cash seizures in excess of $1,000,000 in drug proceeds in this case, and their counterparts in Canada seized several million dollars in assets.

Fifteen individuals were indicted in this case—eight citizens of the United States and seven Canadians. Six of the Canadians have been extradited to the United States, while one Canadian remains a fugitive. Thirteen defendants have now entered pleas of guilty, and another is awaiting trial.

Assistant United States Attorney Gregory J. Nescott prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

U.S. Attorney Hickton commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration (Pittsburgh and Buffalo), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Cleveland), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Greater Toronto Area Drug Section, the Asian Organized Crime Task Force of Ontario, and the Canada Border Services Agency, along with the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, United States Postal Inspection Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the City of Pittsburgh Police for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Kieu Dang Cao.

World Cup Biathlon Concludes in Maine

CBP and Partners Keep Border, Athletes and Spectators Safe

Fort Kent, Maine - Today, Customs and Border Protection officers and agents at the Fort Kent Port of Entry, Van Buren Border Patrol Station and Houlton Air Branch thank their partners on both sides of the border for their assistance with logistics and border security during the World Cup Biathlon which was held in Fort Kent Feb. 10-13.

The World Cup Biathlon was compared to the followership of the Super Bowl and was expected to have more than 120 million spectators viewing events from Europe. With also 300 athletes, coaches and support staff from 22 nations around the world, and thousands of spectators focusing their attention to the physical and mentally demanding endurance sport of marksmanship and cross-country ski racing, it was up to CBP and their partners to ensure the safety of the participants and the spectators and secure the border during this high profile event.

CBP officer working with Canadian officials in Clair, New Brunswick, Canada aligning parade participants and checking for proper documentation for participation in the International Lights Parade.

Over the last couple of months, CBP worked with their local, state, federal and international partners with logistics and border security as they prepared for increased cross-border activity due to the events of the World Cup Biathlon and the International Lights Parade.

Agents and officers maintained high visibility during the four-day operation, in an effort to deter illegal cross-border activity and prevent any potential acts of terrorism. To assist CBP with border security, law enforcement agencies in Canada conducted enhanced patrol and worked with U.S. agencies with timely intelligence which greatly enhanced the effectiveness of border security during this high profile event.

Enhanced land and frozen water boundary line watch operations were conducted by agents from the Van Buren Border Patrol Station, Houlton Office Homeland Security Investigations, constables from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Integrated Border Enforcement Team Division (U.S. and Canada law enforcement agencies), CBP officers from Fort Kent, Madawaska and Van Buren ports of entries, as well as their Canada Border Services Agency counterparts. Aerial support and surveillance was conducted by agents from the Houlton Air Branch.

CBP officers in the Fort Kent area also worked with the World Cup committee and law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border, implementing a vetting procedure for participants involved with the International parade. Pre-vetting included filling out an application form with a digital photo, and having a passport or WHTI-compliant document. Once the pre-vetting process was completed, participants were given a float number and passes. This assisted the CBP officer’s inspection process, allowing the participants to cross the international border seamlessly during the parade. On the day of the event, CBP officers were allowed to enter Canada to work with their Canadian partners to ensure each float met the height and width requirements to traverse the Port’s inspection processing equipment and participant had the necessary documentation for the parade.

The International Lights Parade, which took place on Feb. 11, joined two countries for one spectacular event. With 72 floats and approximately 600 participants, the parade started in Clair, New Brunswick, Canada, with participants then walking across the International Bridge, spanning the St. John River, and through Fort Kent, Maine.

To kick off the parade, Maine’s CBP Honor Guard Unit walked to the center of the bridge with Maine Governor Paul LePage and his wife, from the U.S. side, to the boundary line to meet with Canadian officials. Once at the boundary line, the CBP Honor Guard rendered salute to the Canadian flag, performing a pinwheel about face and took over the lead of the parade, leading participants into the United States. CBP Field Operations and Border Patrol each had a lead vehicle and an end of parade vehicle. Both Canada and the United States took turns with a fireworks display at the conclusion of the parade. Also in attendance was celebrity Scottie Pippen, former NBA player and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

Officers also increased manpower to assist with higher than normal cross-border traffic. CBP officers from Van Buren and Madawaska assisted with security and crowd control during the International Lights Parade at the port of entry and in town.

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.

Sweetheart, but fake, deals put on ICE

“Operation Broken Hearted” protects consumers from counterfeit Valentine's Day goods

WASHINGTON – In order to protect consumers from deals that are too good to be true, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) served court orders seizing 18 domain names of websites selling counterfeit goods over the Internet. This operation dubbed, "Operation Broken Hearted," is the fourth phase of, "Operation in Our Sites," a sustained initiative aimed at counterfeiting and piracy over the Internet.

The 18 domain names seized were commercial websites engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods. During the course of the operation, federal law enforcement agents made undercover purchases from online retailers suspected of selling counterfeit goods. Purchased counterfeit items included bracelets, earrings, handbags, necklaces, rings, sunglasses, wallets and watches.

The seized counterfeit items represent 14 name brands: Breitling, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Omega, Patek Philipe, Prada, Rolex , Tiffany & Co. and Timberland.

In most instances, the goods were shipped directly into the United States from suppliers in other countries using international express mail. Once the goods were confirmed as counterfeit or otherwise illegal, seizure orders for the domain names of the websites that sold the goods were obtained from U.S. magistrate judges. Individuals attempting to access the websites will now find a banner notifying them that the domain name of that website has been seized by federal authorities.

This nationwide operation was spearheaded by the HSI-led National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center (IPR Center), in coordination with U.S. Attorneys' Offices for the Southern District of New York and Southern District of Texas, along with HSI offices in Houston and New York.

"Even on Valentine's day, American business is under assault from counterfeiters and pirates," said ICE Director John Morton. "These counterfeits represent a triple threat by delivering shoddy, and sometimes dangerous, goods into commerce, by funding organized criminal activities and by denying Americans good-paying jobs. HSI and our partners at the IPR Center will continue to work together to keep counterfeit products off our streets."

The websites seized in "Operation Broken Hearted" are:

• 1DESIGNERSCARVES.COM

• CHANEL-NEWCOCO.COM

• CHANEL-WHOLESALE.COM

• COACH-HANDBAGSSTORE.COM

• CHOOSEMYHANDBAGS.COM

• ECREPLICA.COM

• FABAAA.COM

• ICOACHOUTLETSTORE.COM

• KRZA.COM

• ONSALETIFFANY.COM

• REPLICA-HANDBAGS-ONLINE.COM

• SHOPPING-LOUIS-VUITTON.COM

• STORE-AOL.COM

• TIFFANYJEWELLERY-US.NET

• TIFFANYSALE-US.COM

• TIFFANYSALE-US.NET

• TIFFANYSILVERSALE.COM

• USCOACHOUTLET.COM

Today's operation is the fourth phase of "Operation in Our Sites," an ongoing investigation - led by the IPR Center - into websites that illegally offer copyrighted and counterfeit trademarked goods. Earlier this month, 10 websites that illegally streamed live sporting telecasts and pay-per-view events over the Internet were seized. In November 2010, 82 domain names of commercial websites engaged in the illegal sale and distribution of counterfeit goods and copyrighted works were seized. In June 2010, investigators executed seizure warrants against nine domain names of websites offering pirated copies of first-run movies, music and software.

The IPR Center is one of the U.S. government's key weapons in the fight against criminal counterfeiting and piracy. The IPR Center is led by ICE HSI and includes partners from U.S. Customs and Border Protection; the FBI; the Department of State; the Food and Drug Administration; the Postal Inspection Service; the Department of Commerce; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; the Defense Logistics Agency; the Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Army Criminal Investigative Command; the General Services Administration; the Consumer Product Safety Commission; INTERPOL; the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; and the Government of Mexico Tax Administrative Service.

The IPR Center allows law enforcement and the private sector jointly to address the growing transnational problem of counterfeit products. The IPR Center coordinates outreach to U.S. rights holders and conducts domestic and international law enforcement as well as coordinates and directs anti-counterfeiting investigations.