Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, May 10: Three individuals, including a Pakistani national, have been charged in the United States for allegedly attempting to illegally transport a large cache of firearms from the US into Canada, authorities confirmed.
The case emerged after a traffic stop conducted by the New York State Police on Thursday along State Route 90 in New York. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, officers grew suspicious after receiving inconsistent responses from the occupants of the vehicle, prompting a search.
During the inspection, authorities allegedly discovered 89 firearms, including at least 17 that had been reported stolen. Some additional weapons were reportedly hidden in the backseat, further strengthening suspicions of coordinated trafficking activity.
The accused have been identified as Malik Bromfield, 22, a Canadian citizen; Faizan Ali, 25, a Pakistani citizen; and Kamal Salman, 22, who holds citizenship of Canada, the United States, and Jordan. The trio was later presented before a federal magistrate judge in White Plains and ordered to remain in custody.
Investigators also stated that Faizan Ali was allegedly found carrying an expired Pakistani National Driving Permit issued in another individual’s name. The defendants now face multiple charges, including firearm smuggling from the United States, illegal firearms dealing without a license, interstate transport of stolen weapons, and unlawful possession of firearms. Bromfield also faces an additional charge related to firearm possession by a non-citizen.
Prosecutors have said the charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from five to 15 years, though final sentencing will depend on court proceedings.
US Attorney Jay Clayton, along with senior officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced the arrests. Clayton described the accused as having been caught transporting more than 80 firearms, including short-barreled rifles and stolen weapons, allegedly intended for smuggling into Canada.
FBI officials warned that the operation posed a serious threat to public safety, highlighting the risks associated with cross-border illegal firearms trafficking. ATF representatives also underscored the broader dangers of such criminal networks.
Authorities confirmed that the investigation was carried out jointly by multiple agencies, including the New York State Police Troop F Community Stabilisation Unit, the FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, and the ATF.