10/09/2009

News / CBP in Detroit Charges FAST Driver with Entering U.S. With Drugs

Detroit – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Fort Street Cargo Facility in Detroit encountered an individual who was a member of the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program apparently attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. The FAST program is one of CBP’s trusted traveler programs.


The driver, Goran Poljak, a 60-year-old Canadian citizen, from Windsor, Ontario, arrived at the cargo facility at approximately 9 p.m., Thursday, October 8, and presented a FAST card to make entry into the country. He told the CBP officer at the primary booth that he had an empty trailer. The officer referred the truck to secondary to verify that the trailer was empty. As CBP officers were checking the truck, they found two duffel bags containing a green leafy substance in the cab area. The substance subsequently tested positive as marijuana. A total of 27.5 kilograms of marijuana was found in the two duffel bags.


“This driver had been entrusted, by his membership in the FAST program, with status as a low risk traveler,” stated Port Director Roderick Blanchard, “he violated that trust and attempted to bring illegal drugs into the country. Our officer’s attention to detail prevented this shipment of narcotics from being sold in our cities and neighborhoods. Our officer’s continue to dedicate themselves to protect our community and our country at large by securing the border.”


The driver was turned over to the Trenton Police Department, a Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) partner, for further investigation and prosecution. BEST is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security national initiative spearheaded by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. BEST was created along the U.S.-Canada border to enhance cross-border security and includes ICE, CBP, and other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.


Travelers who participate in the Free and Secure Trade program are afforded expedited processing when crossing the border. As a participant in these Registered Travelers Programs, these travelers are bestowed with a higher level of trust and confidence in regards to security when crossing the border. Because of this higher level of trust and confidence that has been bestowed on the participants, violations of this trust will not be tolerated. Violations will result in prosecution of the violator to the fullest extent of the law.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/10092009_3.xml

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