1. Accused of smuggling MDMA with drone
2. Transporting drugs across U.S./Canada border with drone.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
A man from Flushing, NY has been accused of using a drone to transport MDMA across the U.S./Canada border near Youngstown. 37-year-old Yong Chen was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute MDMA and importation of MDMA.
The incident occurred on September 21, 2022, when U.S. Border Patrol observed a drone launching from a residence in Youngstown, crossing the Lower Niagara River into Ontario, Canada, landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and then returning to Youngstown shortly after. Law enforcement responded to the residence in Youngstown where the drone had launched and spotted it hovering in the backyard with a package attached to it. An individual at the residence fled, and the package was taken to the Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station for further examination, revealing three vacuum-sealed bags of MDMA.
Chen was later found by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office after a 911 call was made requesting medical attention for shortness of breath. He was identified as the individual who had fled from the Youngstown residence. A search warrant was executed at the residence, which was sparsely furnished with only mattresses on the floor and minimal furniture. Investigators discovered numerous commercial-grade drones, controllers, electronics, cell phones, and a video hard drive containing security camera footage of the residence. The footage showed Chen present at the residence around the time the drone was in operation. Rolls of paracord, consistent with the cord used to attach the package of MDMA to the drone, were also found.
Analysis of the seized drones revealed that five cross-border flights had been conducted into Canada and back before September 21, 2022. All flights originated and concluded at the Youngstown residence, with Chen’s flight records aligning with the dates of the drone activity. Despite having no known ties to the Buffalo/Youngstown area, the residence where the drone was launched had been purchased by a business owned by Chen’s sister.
The charges against Chen carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
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“man accused using drone transport MDMA across US Canada border”.
