Three individuals, including two Canadian citizens, are facing charges in New York for allegedly trying to smuggle numerous firearms into Canada, as per U.S. authorities. The arrests of the three men in their twenties took place following a traffic stop on State Route 90 in New York, approximately 200 kilometers east of Buffalo. During the search of their vehicle, law enforcement discovered a total of 89 firearms, with at least 17 reported as stolen, intended for transport to Canada.
Bryan DiGirolamo, the ATF’s New York field division special agent in charge, emphasized the risks posed by illegal firearms trafficking to community safety and violent crime. The suspects have been identified as Malik Bromfield, a 22-year-old Canadian citizen; Kamal Salman, a 22-year-old holding citizenship from Canada, the U.S., and Jordan; and Faizan Ali, a 25-year-old Pakistani citizen.
The trio faces charges including smuggling, unlicensed dealing in firearms, transporting stolen firearms across state lines, and unlawful possession of firearms. If convicted on all charges, each could potentially face up to 35 years in prison. Additionally, Bromfield faces an extra charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien, carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Hamilton police reported that Faizan Ali had been evading authorities since being involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. Despite being convicted in July 2024, he failed to appear for a scheduled court date after being released pending sentencing.
Gun-related crimes in Canada linked to firearms originating from the U.S. have been a persistent concern. In 2024, the Toronto Police Service traced 88% of the 717 crime guns they seized to the United States. The Canada Border Services Agency noted an increase in firearms seized from 581 in 2022 to 839 in 2024.
According to Jooyoung Lee, a sociology professor at the University of Toronto specializing in gun violence research, the majority of crime guns in Canada stem from U.S. states with less restrictive gun laws. He highlighted that the acquisition of these firearms often occurs through legal purchases rather than underground networks or illicit markets.
The case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by cross-border firearms trafficking and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation in combating illegal gun activities.
