A downstate New York man has been arrested trying to smuggle marijuana across the Peace Bridge into the United States. 

David Dratch, 23, faces possession of a controlled substance, importation of a controlled substance, and smuggling goods into the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney James Kennedy. 

The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Dratch was encountered entering the United States from Canada at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry on October 25, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

He was then referred for a secondary inspection, where a canine search resulted in an alert to a trained odor on the glove compartment area.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said a search resulted in the discovery of six envelopes containing marijuana, two jars of marijuana resin, four additional packages containing THC-infused gummy worms, and a piece of paper with “118 George St.” and “289-396-8078” written on it.  

The address and number linked to the internet address “https://weedmaps.com/dispensaries/47483/about.” The website displayed MMJ Canada – Hamilton as well as various marijuana products for sale, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Dratch, who is from Montgomery, NY, was arrested at that time.

During a search of recent text messages in Dratch’s phone, a message to an individual identified as “Max” on the same day stated: “lol bro I just had 100mg edible and I got stopped by customs and now they’re asking me so much (expletive).”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released.