C.B.P. CBP News Release

CBP in New York Apprehends Interpol Fugitive

(Sunday, August 31, 2008)

Niagara Falls, N.Y. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the arrest of a Canadian citizen wanted in Malta.

On August 30, CBP officers encountered John Carmel Marmara, a 60-year-old citizen of Canada from Oshawa, Ontario, as he applied for admission into the United States at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Marmara advised the primary CBP officer that he was enroute to shop at a local mall. A primary name query revealed that Marmara may be the subject of an active INTERPOL arrest warrant issued approximately two months ago by Maltese authorities.

Additional record checks performed by CBP officers confirmed that Marmara was in fact the subject of an active no-bond felony warrant issued by the Maltese Court of Magistrate through INTERPOL in Washington D.C. The warrant, issued on June 18, charges Marmara with sexual abuse of a minor. CBP officers and agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement verified the validity of the international warrant and confirmed extradition.

Marmara was arrested by CBP and turned over to the custody of ICE agents, who transported Marmara to the Erie County Holding Facility pending extradition to Malta.

“The apprehension of this fugitive was the direct result of CBP’s increased use of name inquiries during primary and secondary inspections at land border crossings, as well as CBP’s continued cooperation with various U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies,â€