Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070119seattle.htm
January 19, 2007
Canadian cocaine trafficker who concealed drugs in fuel tank convicted
SEATTLE - A Canadian citizen who attempted to smuggle more than 250 pounds of cocaine into Canada from the United States was convicted by a jury today in U.S. District Court. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) assisted Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the investigation that led to the conviction.
Steve Czinege, 40, of Surrey, British Columbia, attempted to enter Canada at the Lynden Port of Entry February 27, 2006. He told CBP officers his tractor trailer rig was empty and that he was picking up a load in Canada.
However, during the interview, a CBP officer noticed that the truck's fuel tanks had been altered. A subsequent inspection of the tanks revealed three duffel bags packed with more than 250 pounds of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of $1.8 million.
Czinege claimed in court that he had been threatened and forced to transport the cocaine because of an earlier failed marijuana smuggling attempt that ended with the seizure of his truck and 300 pounds of marijuana. The jury rejected Czinege's defense and found him guilty.
“Drug smuggling of any kind is a serious crime,” said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge for the ICE office of investigations in Seattle. “ICE, working closely with CBP, will use its resources to curtail this type of activity so justice can be served.”
Because he was transporting such a large quantity of cocaine, Czinege faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison when he is formally sentenced May 7, 2007.
-- ICE --
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070122newark.htm
January 22, 2007
Indian national sentenced on immigration fraud charges; ordered to forfeit over $5.7 million and luxury cars
NEWARK - An Indian national was sentenced today to 20 months in federal prison for immigration fraud for fraudulently assisting hundreds of immigrant aliens to live and work illegally in New Jersey and elsewhere in the United States, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie announced.
U.S. District Court Judge Dickinson R. Debevoise also ordered Narendra Mandalapa a/k/a "Ramesh Dashrth,” Mandalapa, 36, to forfeit more than $5.7 million and two late model luxury cars which represented proceeds of his crimes. Judge Debevoise fined Mandalapa $25,000.
Mandalapa was the owner and president of Cybersoftec, Inc., a business consulting company that was based in Edison during 2004 and 2005. Mandalapa was arrested on Nov. 3, 2005 on a criminal Complaint and has been in custody since then.
“This sentence proves that America's immigration system is not something criminals like Mandalapa can exploit for profit without significant consequences,” said Thomas E. Manifase, deputy special agent in charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Newark office. "Benefit, identity and document fraud pose a clear national security concern that we take very seriously.”