Three men arrested after authorities uncover alleged plot to smuggle 89 firearms from New York into Canada

New York – Federal prosecutors say three men accused of attempting to move a large cache of firearms out of the United States and into Canada are now in custody following a traffic stop in New York that quickly escalated into a major weapons trafficking investigation.

The arrests were announced by Jay Clayton alongside officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. Authorities allege that the suspects were transporting 89 firearms, including at least 17 reported stolen weapons, with the intention of smuggling them across the border into Canada.

The three defendants — Malik Bromfield, Faizan Ali, and Kamal Salman — appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in federal court in White Plains and were ordered detained.

Investigators say the case began on May 7, 2026, when members of the New York State Police conducted a traffic stop involving a white Ford Explorer traveling on or near State Route 90. Troopers reportedly observed traffic violations before pulling the vehicle over.

According to the criminal complaint, the situation quickly raised suspicions among officers at the scene. Authorities allege that the occupants provided conflicting and evasive answers while being questioned by troopers.

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During the roadside investigation, police say Ali consented to a search of his person. Troopers allegedly discovered an expired Pakistani National Driving Permit that had been issued to an Afghan national under a different name and concealed on his body.

Investigators then deployed a police canine around the vehicle. The dog alerted authorities to the possible presence of narcotics, prompting officers to conduct a more detailed search of the SUV.

During that search, troopers reportedly located a suitcase that appeared unusually heavy. Inside, authorities say they found dozens of firearms.

Officials have not publicly released the full inventory of the seized weapons, but prosecutors stated the collection included short-barreled rifles and multiple stolen firearms.

“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.”

Federal investigators described the alleged operation as a significant public safety concern, particularly because of the volume of firearms involved and the cross-border nature of the accusations.

“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,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI is committed to working with our federal and state law enforcement partners to take illegal guns off our streets.”

The case also drew attention from ATF officials, who emphasized the broader dangers associated with illegal gun trafficking and the movement of stolen weapons.

“Illegal firearms trafficking threatens the safety of our communities and fuels violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo. “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.”

Each defendant now faces multiple federal charges connected to the alleged smuggling operation. Prosecutors charged all three men with smuggling from the United States, unlicensed dealing in firearms, transporting stolen firearms in interstate commerce, and unlawful possession of firearms.

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According to federal authorities, the smuggling charge alone carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Additional charges related to stolen firearms and unlawful possession also carry possible sentences of up to 10 years each, while the unlicensed dealing charge carries a maximum of five years in prison.

Bromfield faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by an alien, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.

Federal prosecutors noted that the penalties outlined in the complaint are statutory maximums established by Congress and that any final sentence would ultimately be determined by a judge if convictions occur.

Authorities credited several agencies with contributing to the investigation, including New York State Police Troop F, the Community Stabilization Unit, the FBI’s New York Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, and ATF personnel working in the Hudson Valley region.

The prosecution is being handled by the White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarlitto is leading the case.

The arrests come amid continued concern among federal and state officials about the trafficking of illegal firearms across borders and through interstate networks. Law enforcement agencies across the Northeast have increasingly focused on coordinated operations aimed at intercepting weapons before they reach criminal organizations or illegal markets.

For now, the three defendants remain in federal custody as the case moves through the court system.