A routine highway stop in New York has turned into a major cross-border gun trafficking case after U.S. authorities said three men were caught with 89 firearms allegedly intended for smuggling into Canada.
The case involves two Canadian citizens and one Pakistani national, according to federal prosecutors, and has quickly drawn attention because of the scale of the seizure, the number of stolen weapons allegedly found, and the route investigators believe the firearms were meant to take.
The suspects have been identified as Malik Bromfield, 22, Faizan Ali, 25, and Kamal Salman, 22. U.S. officials said Bromfield and Salman are Canadian citizens, while Ali is a Pakistani national. Salman is also described by authorities as a citizen of the United States and Jordan.
Authorities said the group was stopped by New York State Police on or around May 7 while travelling in a white Ford Explorer near Interstate 90. Officers had reportedly observed traffic violations before pulling the vehicle over.
What happened next turned the stop into a federal investigation. Police said the men gave inconsistent and evasive answers during questioning, raising suspicion at the scene.
How police say the firearms were discovered
According to U.S. prosecutors, Ali consented to a roadside search after the traffic stop. During that search, officers allegedly found an expired Pakistani National Driving Permit issued to an Afghan national under another name concealed on his person.
A canine unit was then brought in to inspect the exterior of the vehicle. Authorities said the dog alerted officers to the possible presence of narcotics, which led police to conduct a preliminary search of the SUV.
Inside the vehicle, officers allegedly found an unusually heavy suitcase. When they opened it, investigators said they discovered a large cache of firearms. More weapons were reportedly found elsewhere in the vehicle.
In total, authorities said 89 firearms were recovered. Seventeen of those guns had allegedly been reported stolen.
The size of the seizure has made the case stand out. Nearly 90 firearms allegedly packed into a single vehicle suggests investigators may now be looking beyond the traffic stop itself and examining whether the suspects were connected to a wider supply route or buyer network.
Officials have not publicly confirmed where in Canada the firearms were allegedly headed. They also have not said whether the weapons were meant for one destination or multiple locations.
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All three men are facing multiple federal charges in the United States. Prosecutors said the charges include smuggling from the U.S., unlicensed dealing in firearms, transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce, and unlawful possession of firearms.
The smuggling charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce also carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Unlicensed dealing in firearms carries a maximum sentence of five years, while unlawful possession of firearms carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Bromfield faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, according to officials.
Federal authorities stressed that the charges are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty, and any sentence would be decided by a judge.
The case is likely to be closely watched in Canada because illegal firearms entering from the United States have remained a major concern for police and border officials. Canadian law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that cross-border trafficking plays a role in the supply of crime guns used in some communities.
The discovery also highlights how quickly a routine traffic stop can shift into a larger investigation. In this case, police say a highway stop, unusual answers, a canine sweep, and a heavy suitcase led to the seizure of dozens of firearms before they could allegedly cross the border.
Investigators are expected to continue examining the origin of the weapons, how they were obtained, and whether more people were involved in the alleged smuggling plan.
More details about the federal case can be found through the U.S. Attorneyâs Office for the Southern District of New York.
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