Incident at Rainbow Bridge to Canada in Niagara Falls, NY - "Release of Unknown Substance"

Six Custom Agents Stricken with Flu-Like Symptoms at U.S. Bridge Stop
by Douglas J. Hagmann, Director

30 May 2005: ; 5:00 PM EDT: Shortly before 6:00 PM EDT on Sunday, 29 May 2005, a witness reported seeing a passenger vehicle bearing a Pennsylvania license plate being directed to a U.S. Customs pavilion, or a semi-enclosed area on the U.S. side of the Rainbow Bridge that spans between the United States and Canada. Another witness reported seeing the same event, which is not an unusual occurrence for this busy bridge that is used for non-commercial traffic between Niagara Falls, NY and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. What happened next is sketchy at best, but generally consistent among each witness contacted and interviewed by the Northeast Intelligence Network.

Two U.S. Customs agents approached the vehicle and the occupants were asked to step out. Both witnesses stated that the vehicle was occupied by three individuals of Asian or Philippine ethnicity, later identified as Tommy Nguyen, Than Nguyen, and Cuong Hong, all reportedly U.S. citizens, who were told to stand near the front of the vehicle by 2 or 3 other customs agents.

As the primary customs agents inspected the vehicle, they found “a bag full of money,” later identified as $180,000 in counterfeit currency, hidden inside of the vehicle. Another witness reported seeing a puff of brownish-white smoke, “similar to a small smoke bomb,” “go off” near the vehicle that was being inspected, or somewhere near the underside of the pavilion. The origin of this smoke remains unknown at this time.

At that point, at least to customs agents began coughing and at least one stooped to the ground. “I thought someone set off tear gas or a smoke bomb,” stated the witness who asked not to be identified. “Someone yelled for an ambulance, and a few other agents in the area began coughing and having trouble breathing, some walking with their hands over their mouths and noses,” stated the witness.

”Agents moved people away from the vehicle and assisted those who appeared to be having trouble breathing. In minutes, about ten ambulances, police and other emergency vehicles arrived at the scene and closed the area off.”

In total, six U.S. Customs agents were transported to the emergency room at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in Niagara Falls, NY. Thirty-four-(34) others were being assessed by physicians on the scene. According to hospital officials, the six “tested negative” for exposure to “chemical irritants” and were then released.

"At this point in the investigation, the currency does not appear to be tainted with any form of chemcial irritants," said Kevin Corsaro, the Border Protection Public Affairs Officer. "Additional tests are being conducted to determine the possible cause of the irritant."

Tommy Nguyen, Than Nguyen, and Cuong Hong are facing federal charges and have been turned over to the U.S. Secret Service along with the $180,000 in counterfeit cash.

Douglas J. Hagmann

Director, Northeast Intelligence Network

Editor, HQ INTEL-ALERT

Check out Buffalo News account of the incident...

Spill of suspicious powder forces Rainbow Bridge closing