Williamsville Father And Son Arrested With Marijuana At The Border

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kenneth Francis Munroe, 60, and his son Kenneth Philip Munroe, 30, both of Williamsville, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with entry of goods by means of false statements and simple possession of a controlled substance. The charges carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that on November 8, 2019, at approximately 3:38 p.m., the defendants attempted to enter the U.S. from Canada at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Kenneth Philip Munroe was driving the vehicle. According to the complaint, during primary inspection, both defendants told a Customs and Border Protection officer that they did not have any drugs and/or contraband. However, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and referred the father and son for secondary inspection.

During secondary inspection, officers recovered: two bags of suspected marijuana, which had been concealed in the pants of Kenneth Philip Munroe; three bags of suspected marijuana, which had been concealed in the pants of Kenneth Francis Munroe; and a sixth bag of suspected marijuana, which had been secreted under the driver’s seat.  Approximately 250 grams of suspected marijuana were contained within those six packages recovered from the defendants and their vehicle.

The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and were released.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.