A $10,000 fine, seizure of hidden guns and other immigration violations among March highlights for the CBSA in Southern Ontario

News Release

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share the March enforcement highlights from the Southern Ontario Region. CBSA officers protect Canadians by charging and prosecuting those committing offenses under the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), arresting illegal foreign nationals and preventing guns, weapons and drunk drivers from entering the country.

Eleven guns and 197 prohibited weapons were seized across the Region. Twelve impaired drivers were arrested.

On March 9, Julio Lucas entered a guilty plea to wilful evasion of the Customs Act and received a $10,000 fine. This was in regards to an incident on December 5, 2015, when Lucas, a U.S. resident, entered Canada at the Blue Water Bridge in the St. Clair District, with the intention of moving to Toronto. He declared five bottles of alcohol and no firearms. During a search of his vehicle, officers discovered 159 bottles of alcohol and a firearm.

 

Quick Facts

 

• The Southern Ontario Region of the CBSA covers the southern portion of Ontario, encompassing the cities of Windsor, Sarnia, London, Fort Erie and Niagara Falls, and their surrounding communities.
• Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

 

Quotes

“Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and prosecution with penalties that exceed the amount of duties and taxes payable had a full declaration been made.“

Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region

 

 

Related Products

See Backgrounder for additional seizure highlights.

 

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Contact

Southern Ontario Media Relations

Canada Border Services Agency

CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Media Line: 1-844-580-3636

 

 

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Photo: Gun seized at the Peace Bridge on March 19, 2016.

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