Federal agents arrested a Lockport man after a border inspection uncovered drugs, cash, and a loaded firearm.
Ma Le Jones, 37, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Prosecutors said the case began the morning of Dec. 13, when Jones arrived at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge and presented himself for inspection. Jones told a Customs and Border Protection officer that he made a wrong turn and was trying to return to the United States.
During routine checks, officers learned Jones was subject to an active order of protection and was on probation for a prior firearms offense. Agents referred him to secondary inspection.
Authorities said officers seized two cell phones, $2,383 in cash, quantities of marijuana, MDMA, cocaine, and crack cocaine, along with a loaded revolver. Prosecutors said Jones is currently on parole after a 2017 state conviction for criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
A judge ordered Jones detained following a detention hearing in federal court. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a possible maximum of life imprisonment.
Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation. Federal officials stressed that the charges are accusations and that Jones is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
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