Police arrest four in Michigan in connection with $1 million drug smuggling operation using big rig

Local, state, and federal law enforcement partnered for an investigation that led to the seizure of hundreds of pounds of illegal drugs that crossed the border from Canada into Michigan in a truck last week.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office (SCCSO) announced the drug seizure and arrests on August 22.

According to SCCSO, at 2:30 a.m. on August 18, a semi truck crossed the Blue Water Bridge into Michigan.

The same truck was later observed at a closed business located in Columbus Township, where illegal drugs were reportedly being offloaded from the semi truck into a van.

The truck driver, a 23 year old Canadian resident, and a 27 year old Detroit resident, were arrested.

Authorities seized 348 pounds of marijuana and 24 pounds of ecstasy. The estimated street value of the seized drugs is more than $1 million, according to police.

While the investigation was still underway, a second van arrived in the area. Authorities arrested the van driver in connection with the drug smuggling operation.

“To further the investigation, [Homeland Security Investigation’s Border Enforcement Security Team (BEST)] served a search warrant for a home in Detroit and seized evidence to include the following: a firearm, ammunition and $36,000 in US currency,” SCCSO said.

Police ultimately arrested one more person as part of the investigation.

Three men, Devin Bruemmer, Mason Hernandez, and Manraj Singh, were each charged with delivering ecstasy, delivering more than 45 kilograms of marijuana, and maintaining a drug house.

The fourth man, James Haynie, was charged with conspiracy to commit controlled substance delivery, conspiracy to commit controlled substance delivery of marijuana over 45 kilograms, maintaining a drug house, and felony firearm.

Other agencies participating in the investigation include United States Customs and Border Protection, United States Border Patrol K-9, and Michigan State Police K-9.