Federal officials announce major arrests in international drug smuggling case (DOJ)

ALBANY, NEW YORK - First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Chief of Police Matthew Rourke, and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Chief of Police Ranatiiostha Swamp, announced arrest of three individuals involved in major international smuggling operation along the northern border.

Three Akwesasne individuals, dual Canadian-American citizens, were arrested Thursday July 30, 2026, for their alleged roles in an international drug-trafficking operation. Basil Lazore, age 47, and Michael Arquette, age 38, were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 846, 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 841(b)(1)(B). The penalties include at least 10 years and up to life in prison and up to a $10 million fine. Patricia Ransom, age 81, was also arrested and charged with 21 U.S.C. 846, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, for which she faces at least 5 years in prison, and a maximum of 40 years.

Through a coordinated partnership involving U.S. and Canadian and Tribal law enforcement, investigators initiated a joint investigation into suspected cross-border drug trafficking activity operating through Akwesasne. As the investigation progressed, authorities identified an alleged smuggling network responsible for moving illicit drugs from Canada into the United States. Investigators further determined that the defendants allegedly planned to exchange methamphetamine for multiple firearms. Lazore was taken into custody in Canada, while Arquette and Ransom were arrested in the United States.

First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, "Today's announcement reflects the unprecedented collaboration among our law enforcement partners Federal, State, Local, and Tribal, both in the United States and Canada. Their work to identify, investigate, and arrest these individuals underscores our commitment to securing the northern border and stopping the flow of deadly narcotics and dangerous firearms. As alleged, the defendants sought to exploit areas along the border where tribal lands create unmonitored access points for cross-border criminal activity. Because of their actions, they will now face the full weight of the American justice system."

ATF New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo said, "Protecting our communities requires more than responding to violent crime-it requires identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the criminal networks that drive it. Transnational criminal organizations exploit borders, jurisdictions, and every vulnerability they can find to traffic illegal commodities that threaten public safety. This investigation demonstrates the power of intelligence sharing and the extraordinary partnerships that make complex, cross-border investigations possible. I commend the special agents, detectives, analysts, prosecutors, and our federal, state, local, tribal, and international partners whose tireless dedication brought this investigation to this point. Together, we are disrupting criminal networks, reducing violent crime, and making our communities safer."

HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone said, "Transnational criminal organizations exploit borders, waterways, and remote terrain to move narcotics, firearms, and people while putting communities and law enforcement officers at risk. As a Homeland Security Task Force investigation, co-led by Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo, this case reflects the strength of coordinated partnerships across federal, state, local, Tribal, and Canadian law enforcement. Together, we are targeting the criminal networks that threaten border security and public safety on both sides of the northern border."

"Criminal networks do not recognize borders, and neither does our commitment to public safety. This investigation is an example of the coordinated efforts of Canadian and U.S. law enforcement partners working together to disrupt the trafficking of illegal drugs and firearms and the criminal networks that profit from it. The Ontario Provincial Police is proud to support this joint operation and will continue to work alongside our partners to combat organized crime, reduce the availability of illegal drugs and weapons and enhance public safety," said Ottawa Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.

Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, Chief of Police, Ranatiiostha Swamp said, "The success of this investigation highlights the importance of collaboration among law enforcement partners across jurisdictions and international borders. AMPS is proud to have contributed to this effort and remains committed to protecting the residents of Akwesasne from the impacts of organized crime in trafficking of humans, drugs, and firearms. The Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service operates within a unique border community. We have long recognized the need for coordinated and intelligence-driven enforcement strategies. This investigation reinforces the importance of law enforcement partnerships by combining resources to combat organized crime. Through continued collaboration with our law enforcement partners, we will work to ensure that those who engage in criminal activity are held accountable while preserving the safety, integrity, and reputation of our community."

The charges in the indictment and complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, New York State Police, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Ottawa Provincial Police, Sûreté du Québec, Akwesasne Tribal Police and the St Regis Tribal Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Stitt.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service (IRS/ CID), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Customs and Border Protection/ Office of Border Patrol (CBP/ OBP), Customs and Border Protection/ Office of Field Operations (CBP/ OFO), DEA, Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), USPIS, U.S. Secret Service (USSS), Department of State/Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York.