Three men, including two Canadian citizens, have been charged in the United States after authorities allegedly uncovered an attempt to smuggle nearly 90 firearms into Canada, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In a statement released Friday, FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. said investigators seized 89 firearms during a traffic stop conducted by the New York State Police near Interstate 90 in New York on May 7. Authorities said 17 of the recovered firearms had previously been reported stolen.
The suspects were identified as Malik Bromfield, 22, Faizan Ali, 25, and Kamal Salman, 22.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, state troopers stopped a white Ford Explorer after observing alleged traffic violations. Officials said the occupants provided “inconsistent and evasive accounts” during questioning.
Investigators allege that Ali consented to a roadside search, during which officers discovered an expired Pakistani national driving permit issued under another name and allegedly linked to an Afghan national.
Authorities later deployed a canine unit, which reportedly alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics. During a subsequent search, police said they discovered an “unusually heavy” suitcase containing a large cache of firearms, along with additional weapons elsewhere inside the vehicle.
Officials said Bromfield and Salman are Canadian citizens, while Ali is a Pakistani national. Salman also reportedly holds U.S. and Jordanian citizenship.
All three men face several federal charges, including smuggling goods from the United States, unlawful firearms dealing, transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce, and unlawful possession of firearms. Prosecutors said the charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from five to 10 years per count.
Bromfield also faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien, which carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
Authorities noted that sentencing decisions will ultimately be determined by a judge if the defendants are convicted.
