Hogansburg Man Arrested for Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

ALBANY, NEW YORK - David Terrance appeared in federal court on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, Ontario Provincial Police Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart, Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service Chief of Police Ranatiiostha Swamp and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Chief of Police Matthew Rourke made the announcement.

According to the complaint, Terrance was observed loading bags of suspected marijuana onto a marine vessel staged on Cornwall Island, he was then further observed as he trailered and transported the vessel to his property in Hogansburg NY. Terrance was apprehended at his property in Hogansburg where law enforcement seized 47 bags containing approximately 1,250 pounds of marijuana, along with six firearms.

The defended appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro on August 20^th and at an August 25^th detention hearing was ordered detained pending further proceedings.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, "Collaboration among federal, state, local, tribal, and international law enforcement is at an all-time high in the Northern District of New York. As alleged, this defendant attempted to smuggle more than 1,200 pounds of illegal marijuana into the United States, where he was quickly apprehended and prevented from further trafficking these illicit substances. My office and our partners will continue to aggressively pursue anyone seeking to smuggle contraband into the United States and ensure these traffickers face the full weight of the American justice system."

HSI Buffalo Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone said, "This arrest disrupted an attempt to traffic a significant quantity of drugs and illicit goods into a region where such activity continues to threaten the safety and stability of our communities. HSI Massena, alongside our local, state, federal, tribal, and international partners, remains committed to protecting our communities-one arrest, one seizure, and one investigation at a time."

ATF New York Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo said, "Protecting our communities requires strong partnerships that extend across jurisdictions and borders. This arrest reflects the strength of that collaboration and what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together toward a common mission. ATF NY Syracuse is proud to stand alongside HSI, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service in our shared commitment to disrupting illegal activity and protecting the communities we serve."

"This investigation demonstrates the importance of coordinated, intelligence-led policing in combating cross-border crime. The Ontario Provincial Police was proud to support efforts to disrupt the trafficking of illegal drugs and firearms between Ontario and New York State, and we remain committed to working with our partners to target those who threaten the safety and security of our communities," said Chief Superintendent Mike Stoddart Ontario Provincial Police

Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Chief of Police Matthew Rourke said, "As Chief of Police, I would like to acknowledge and commend the hard work, dedication, and professionalism demonstrated by the members of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department in protecting the community of Akwesasne. The most important aspect of this investigation was the strong partnership, coordination, and communication among our federal, state, local, and provincial law enforcement partners. This collaborative effort demonstrates what can be accomplished when agencies work together with a common goal of protecting our communities and disrupting criminal activity. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department will not tolerate individuals or organized criminal groups attempting to exploit the good people of Akwesasne or those who live, work, and travel through our community. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and disrupt criminal activity that threatens the safety and security of our community. Organized crime affiliates should be made aware that Akwesasne is no longer a gateway for transnational smuggling routes. The agencies participating in this investigation have demonstrated that we are united, vigilant, and committed to preventing our community from being exploited for criminal purposes. I am proud of the work performed by our officers and grateful for the cooperation and commitment demonstrated by all of our partner agencies. This investigation is a clear example of the importance of communication, information sharing, and strong partnerships in keeping Akwesasne safe."

"This investigation highlights the strength of our cross-border law enforcement partnerships and our collective commitment to combating transnational organized crime. Through ongoing intelligence sharing of our joint enforcement initiatives, we will continue to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations involved in the cross-border smuggling of illicit drugs, while working together to enhance the safety and security of our communities," said Chief of Police Ranatiiostha Swamp Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service.

This operation 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, Tabacco, 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), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), U.S. Postal Inspection Service (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.

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