Wrong turn leads to Rochester resident being arrested for illegally possessing a handgun

LEWISTON, N.Y. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Buffalo's Lewiston Bridge border crossing arrested a United States citizen who was unlawfully in possession of a firearm.

CBP officers encountered a 52-year-old female U.S. citizen, from Rochester, New York, on August 18 after she took a wrong turn into the port of entry and declared a Taurus 9mm handgun. Officers took possession of the firearm and escorted the woman, vehicle and its occupants to a secondary inspection area.

During the secondary inspection, officers determined the woman operating the vehicle was unlawfully in possession of the firearm because she did not have the New York State pistol permit required to possess a handgun.

"Our dedicated officers continue to demonstrate their strong commitment to enforce firearm laws keeping unlawfully possessed guns out of our neighborhoods to support the overall safety of our streets," said Acting Port Director Sharon Swiatek for the Area Port of Buffalo.

The woman was taken into custody and processed by CBP officers. After processing, the woman and 9mm Taurus firearm were turned over to the for prosecution on felony charges of criminal possession of a weapon.

CBP's border security mission is led at our nation's Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation's safety and economic vitality.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

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