see also: in July 2008:   CBP Discovers 2.7 Tons of Marijuana on Cargo Box Truck   Holiday Travel Reminder for Northwest Border Crossers   Current, Former CBP Employees Assist in Arrest of Purse Snatchers   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Failure to Register as Sex Offender   California SENTRI Participant in Hot Water, CBP Finds Dope in Vehicle   CBP Officers Arrest Man Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault on Minor   CBP Revokes Trusted Traveler Privileges After Finding Prohibited Items During Inspection ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Niagra Falls, N.Y. – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer’s testimony in a murder trial helped convict a former police officer of killing his estranged wife.

On August 24, 2005, Richard Curran of Mount Carmel, Pa., was encountered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls, N.Y., after being refused entry into Canada. Curran attempted to enter Canada but failed to declare two handguns and was subsequently refused entry.

CBP officers discovered that Curran was wanted in the shooting death of his estranged wife outside a Pennsylvania hospital. The handguns found in Curran’s possession were allegedly used in the commission of the crime. Curran, who was a Berks County police officer, was taken into custody after confirmation of the warrant was received by CBP officers and subsequently extradited to Pennsylvania to answer the murder charge. The handguns were seized by CBP and turned over to Pennsylvania authorities as evidence in the crime.

Curran was recently convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The testimony of CBP officer Peter Henesey was essential in linking the evidence to the defendant and was a strong piece of evidence that ultimately led the jury to return a guilty verdict.

“This apprehension and conviction demonstrates the important mission that CBP has in the interdiction of wanted criminals,” said Buffalo Port Director Joseph Wilson. “Furthermore, this displays the intricate roll that CBP has in the international and national law enforcement community.”

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.