BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)- A 26-year-old man is in jail following an attempt to smuggle more than 900 pounds of marijuana over the Peace Bridge.

Prabjot Nagra, a citizen of India, was arrested and charged with possession with the intent to distribute 1000 kilograms or more of marijuana and importation of marijuana into the United States.

Nagra tried to enter the United States just before midnight on June 25, driving a commercial truck with Ontario, Canada license plates. According to an electronic manifest, the truck was carrying a shipment of 55 storage containers.

An x-ray showed inconsistencies of the cargo within the entire trailer and the truck was referred to the Peace Bridge warehouse loading dock for physical examination. During an exam of the crates, Customs and Border Protection Officers recovered multiple packages of vacuum-sealed bags, which field-tested positive for the presence of marijuana. Approximately 8,320 packages of suspected marijuana weighing approximately 9,472 pounds were removed from the original shipment containers.

The marijuana is valued at approximately $20,000,000. Officials say this is the largest marijuana seizure ever in the Western District, and one of the largest—if not the largest—ever at the northern border.

“For the third time in as many weeks, the diligence of Customs and Border Protection Officers has resulted in the seizure of literally tons of illegal controlled substances destined for our country,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “In just three weeks, CBP Officers have prevented thousands of pounds of illicit drugs, valued at nearly $30,000,000, from entering our country. We will remain vigilant to protect our border from those who seek to profit from the importation of these illegal substances, as they not only fuel the violent drug trafficking organizations who distribute them but jeopardize the health and well-being of those, including minors, who use them. Because the health, safety, and security of every American matters, so too do our borders.”  

Nagra is being held pending a detention hearing on July 1. The charges he’s facing carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.