Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on May 8 the arrest of Malik Bromfield, Faizan Ali, and Kamal Salman. The three men are charged with multiple offenses related to transporting 89 firearms, including at least 17 that were reported stolen, and attempting to smuggle those firearms into Canada. Bromfield, Ali, and Salman appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court and were detained.
The case is significant due to the number of weapons involved and concerns about illegal firearms trafficking crossing international borders. Authorities say such activities pose a risk to public safety by potentially putting dangerous weapons in the hands of criminal actors.
"As alleged, Malik Bromfield, Faizan Ali, and Kamal Salman were caught transporting more than 80 guns, including short-barreled rifles and stolen firearms, to smuggle them out of the country," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "It is critically important to New Yorkers and Americans to keep illegal weapons out of the hands of criminal actors. The trafficking of dangerous weapons will be relentlessly pursued by this Office." FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr., said: "These three defendants, including two foreign nationals, allegedly endangered our communities as they attempted to smuggle 89 firearms—17 of which were stolen—into Canada. The FBI is committed to working with our federal and state law enforcement partners to take illegal guns off our streets." ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo said: "Illegal firearms trafficking threatens the safety of our communities and fuels violent crime. ATF New York’s Hudson Valley personnel were proud to assist the FBI-led investigation alongside the New York State Police to help prevent dozens of firearms, including stolen weapons, from reaching the streets."
According to allegations in a complaint filed by authorities: On or about May 7 personnel with the New York State Police initiated a traffic stop on a white Ford Explorer after observing traffic violations near State Route 90. Upon approaching the vehicle occupied by Bromfield, Ali, and Salman officers noted inconsistent answers during questioning; Ali consented to a search during which an expired Pakistani National Driving Permit issued under another name was found concealed on his person.
A police canine alerted officers during an exterior sweep for narcotics; troopers then discovered an unusually heavy suitcase containing many firearms inside along with additional guns recovered from other areas within the vehicle.
Bromfield (22), a citizen of Canada; Ali (25), a citizen of Pakistan; and Salman (22), who holds citizenships in Canada as well as Jordan and reportedly also holds U.S citizenship status are each charged with one count each for smuggling from the United States (maximum sentence: ten years); unlicensed dealing in firearms (five years); transporting stolen firearms interstate (ten years); unlawful possession (ten years). Bromfield faces an additional charge for unlawful possession by an alien carrying up fifteen years if convicted.
The statutory maximum sentences are set by Congress but any actual sentencing will be determined by a judge if there is conviction at trial or plea agreement.
Clayton praised efforts from multiple agencies involved including New York State Police Troop F Community Stabilization Unit; FBI’s Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force; Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives investigators working together on this case handled through White Plains Division led by Assistant U.S Attorney John Sarlitto.
