U.S. nabs Canadian senior on drug charge

HAMILTON, Ontario, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. border officials arrested a 74-year-old Canadian woman attempting to cross the border on a 29-year-old marijuana trafficking warrant, officials said.

Homenella Cole of Hamilton, Ontario, was arrested and extradited Monday at the Lewiston, N.Y.-Queenston, Ontario, border crossing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, the Hamilton Spectator reported.

Because she has an undisclosed criminal record in Canada, she was attempting to get a waiver allowing her into the United States, the National Post said.

A routine background check turned up an outstanding felony warrant for her issued by the New York City Police Department on April 1, 1980 for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, the reports said.

Cole was to be taken to New York to face the charges, CBP spokesman Kevin Corsaro said, adding there is no statute of limitations on arrest warrants.

"But a 29-year-old warrant is definitely rare," he said.