see also: in September 2008:   Ramey Border Patrol Sector Sponsors Intelligence Training   CBP Arrests Woman at California Port after Discovering 3 Hidden Females   Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Lost Alien   Customs and Border Protection Warns Floral Importers About Unripe Poppy Pods   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failing to Register as Sex Offender   El Paso CBP Officers Discover 3,000 Pounds of Marijuana in Shipment of Watermelons   CBP Seizes More Than $360,000 in Undeclared Currency ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Buffalo, N.Y. – Agents aboard a U.S. Border Patrol interdiction vessel, supporting a Niagara Regional Police Service cross-border interdiction operation, arrested the driver of a fishing boat carrying two other suspects arrested yesterday.

Members of the Provincial Biker Enforcement Unit seized over $1 million in cash and arrested two men connected to the seizure. Both men arrested on Canadian soil had several duffle bags, each found to contain U.S. currency.

“These arrests serve as an example of the outstanding partnerships we maintain with our Canadian law enforcement counterparts,” said Kevin Oaks, Chief Patrol agent of the U.S. Border Patrol in Buffalo. “The sharing of information amongst our partners both here and internationally continues to drive solid border security operations.”

As a result of a lengthy investigation by the Niagara Regional Police Central Region Detective Support Unit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection air and marine agents and Border Patrol agents were notified on September 24, that a vessel suspected of being involved in criminal activity had entered American waters on Lake Erie. Border Patrol agents encountered the vessel and attempted to stop the vessel. The vessel failed to yield and retreated toward Crystal Beach Harbor in Ontario, Canada. The agents terminated the pursuit once the vessel entered Canadian waters, but were able to maintain surveillance of the vessel.

The Border Patrol agents directed officers from the PBEU to the vessel’s location at the public boat launch in Crystal Beach. The two passengers of the vessel exited the boat when it came ashore. The two were in possession of duffle bags containing the over $1 million in U.S. currency. Canadian officials charged the suspects with Possession of Proceeds of Crime over $5000 contrary to the [Canadian] Criminal Code. Both are in custody pending a bail hearing in St. Catherines, Ontario today.

The vessel and operator returned to American waters after dropping off the two suspects arrested by Canadian officials. Border Patrol agents apprehended the vessel and its driver after he re-entered U.S. waters. The Tonawanda, N.Y., man was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for investigation.

Several enforcement agencies and units worked together to bring this investigation to a successful conclusion. These units include the Central Region Detective Services Unit, the Provincial Biker Enforcement Unit, the Integrated Proceeds of Crime Unit, and the Border Enforcement Safety Task Force, which includes members from the Canada Border Service Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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.