see also: in May 2002:   U.S. Customs Announces International Counterfeit Case Involving Caterpillar Heavy Equipment   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize 1,787 Pounds of Marijuana at World Trade Bridge; One Arrested   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Eagle Pass Seize Five Drug Loads in Five Days, Including Three on Monday   U.S. Customs Inspectors Seize $3.6 Million in Cocaine, Methamphetamine at Hidalgo/Pharr Port of Entry Over Weekend   U.S. Customs Task Force Arrests 11 Charged in Heroin-Smuggling Conspiracy in New York and New Jersey   Child Sex Offender Fugitive Wanted by Arizona and Massachusetts Authorities Captured at Brownsville Port of Entry   Mother's Day Delivery at Fabens Port ...more

contacts for this news release

Buffalo, New York - U.S. Customs inspectors conducting outbound examinations at the Peace Bridge, Port of Buffalo, NY, seized $207,270 and arrested the driver of a tractor-trailer. The driver tried to avoid Customs inspection and drive straight into Canada with the Customs inspector hanging onto the cab of the truck.

On May 1,2002, Customs inspectors referred the driver, Mr. Gawain Cole, a 46-year-old Jamaican citizen from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada, for secondary inspection, after receiving a negative declaration from him regarding transportation of money or weapons.

Mr. Cole is the owner of Tachway Trucking, Inc., a business operated out of his residence at 463 Scarborough Golf Club Way, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.

During initial inspection of the vehicle, a Tachway truck, inspectors discovered what appeared to be a false compartment in the undercarriage of the trailer. Mr. Cole was directed to move his truck to the Secondary Inspection Area at the Peace Bridge Warehouse for a more intensive examination of the vehicle. He was given specific instructions to follow a Customs van to the site, (which required a 180-degree turn).

Though he indicated that he understood, Mr. Cole instead ignored the inspector's directions, started his truck, and attempted to drive across the Peace Bridge into Canada. The Inspector jumped onto the step/running board (at the driver's side door/window) and told Mr. Cole to stop the truck. Cole accelerated the truck with the inspector precariously holding onto its side.

Realizing his life was endangered (the truck was moving too fast to jump off), the Inspector drew his service gun, pointed it at the driver, and ordered him to stop.

According to the Inspector, Cole laughed, and shifted the truck into high gear to gain more speed. The inspector shouted the order to stop again or he'd have to shoot the driver in the leg. Cole laughed and continued the high-speed ride toward the Canadian border.

Another Customs inspector proceeded onto the Bridge in a marked Customs vehicle and was able to cut off the truck, at which point Cole stopped the truck. Fortunately, no collision or injuries occurred.

Subsequent search of the truck revealed two plastic shopping bags and one duffel bag full of U.S. currency totaling $207,270 hidden in the sleeper area of the tractor. The money and the truck were seized.

Cole was arrested by U.S. Customs special agents. He faces charges of failure to report currency in excess of $10,000; he also faces assault charges against a Federal officer, and use of a deadly, dangerous weapon (the truck) to cause physical injury.

He will be prosecuted by the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Western District, Buffalo Division.