Canadian Citizen Sentenced For Cash Smuggling

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Canadian Citizen Sentenced For Cash Smuggling

CONTACT:  Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX #:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today Richard Clarke, 49, a Canadian citizen residing in Buffalo, who was convicted of bulk cash smuggling out of the United States, was sentenced to 24 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that on November 16, 2016, Clarke transported more than $10,000 in United States currency from the U.S. into Canada. However, the defendant failed to report the transportation of the currency, which he was legally required to do.

Clarke was charged in this case along with co-defendants Joshua Castro and Barrett Johnson. Castro has been convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for conspiring with others to possess and distribute “Molly,” a Scheduled I controlled substance. Charges are pending against Johnson. 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.

Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Border Enforcement Security Taskforce which includes the Ontario Provincial Police, Niagara Regional Police, Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police Services.