Four charged with attempted international arms trafficking
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Tuesday that Durante King-Mclean, age 25, Prasath Paramalingam, age 34, Archit Grover, age 36, all of Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and Jalisa Edwards, age 25, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, were charged in a multi-count federal indictment with charges stemming from a conspiracy to engage in international firearms trafficking.
According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that King-Mclean was stopped by PSP State troopers e on September 2, 2023, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, after law enforcement observed multiple violations. It is further alleged that King-Mclean, who was illegally in the United States from Canada, fled on foot when troopers discovered 65 firearms in the rental vehicle.
A court-authorized search warrant for the vehicle led to the discovery of 65 firearms that were allegedly supposed to be illegally smuggled into Canada. Two of those firearms were fully automatic and considered machine guns under federal law. Eleven of the firearms were determined to be stolen, with obliterated serial number/s.
The indictment further alleges that Paramalingam was involved in the conspiracy since April 2023 with persons known and unknown to the grand jury, including King-Mclean, to arrange for King-Mclean’s illegal entry into the United States. While King Mclean was in the United States, Paramalingam allegedly arranged funding for King Mclean to purchase the various firearms that he obtained in Florida, Georgia, and elsewhere as King Mclean traveled back toward Canada and through Franklin County.
Officials say Grover and Edwards were charged by the grand jury as accessories after the fact for their alleged assistance to King-Mclean after his arrest to conceal evidence concerning his attempted gun smuggling and provide co-conspirators with information regarding the scope of the investigation, among other things.
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“ATF’s highest priority is reducing violent gun crime, and firearms trafficking feeds that crime by putting guns in the hands of violent criminals and other prohibited people. Far from being a victimless crime, trafficking presents a grave threat to public safety across our nation and to our neighbors. Thanks to our cooperative efforts, this action has kept 65 firearms off the street preventing them from being used in any number of killings and other crimes and ended this international firearms trafficking scheme.” stated d Major Serell Ulrich, Director, Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation.” ,
Eric J. DeGree, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Philadelphia Field Division.
“International arms trafficking greatly endangers citizens of both countries. HSI is proud to be on the front lines against the crime and devastation that illegal weapons bring to the cities in which they are used. We will continue to use our global reach and cooperate with our law enforcement partners to combat transnational weapons trafficking.” said Acting Special Agent in chagre of HSI, Philadelphia
This indictment is the result of outstanding proactive enforcement by our Patrol Troopers, which led to a larger successful inter-agency investigation. Illegal firearm trafficking has no boundaries, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners both federally and Internationally to mitigate this worldwide problem. Anytime illegal firearm trafficking affects our Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania State Police will strive to identify, investigate, and arrest those responsible.”
Major Serell Ulrich, Director, Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation
On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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