U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Rainbow Bridge arrested a citizen of Ghana on Sunday who had an active warrant out of Jersey City, New Jersey.
Customs officers encountered Patrick Fiati, 46, of Ghana, on the pedestrian lane. He indicated he was going to visit friends in Canada but instead turned around on the bridge and returned to the United States. During Fiati’s inspection, CBP officers discovered a National Crime Information Center match that indicated that he had an active warrant for his arrest in Jersey City for intimidation, stalking and felony criminal sexual contact.
After processing and confirming the arrest warrant, Fiati was turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a fugitive from justice. He is currently in custody with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
“Our vigilant officers acted swiftly to ensure the safety of the traveling public and conducted a thorough investigation, confirming the warrant and coordinating with local law enforcement,” said Acting Area Port Director Sharon Swiatek.
Operation Bear Cave continues on I-90 and I-81
From November 20 through 23, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellesley Island Station and assisted by Border Patrol agents from the Oswego Station conducted immigration inspections along the central portion of the New York State Thruway and Interstate 81.
The operation was also assisted by ICE-Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations.
As a result, four male undocumented immigrants were arrested who possessed valid CDLs from the states of California, Indiana, and New Jersey. One of the men was not operating a commercial vehicle at the time of his arrest.
All five men were turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for processing and removal proceedings.