Southern Ontario Region March 2016 Highlights – Backgrounder

Backgrounder

Peace Bridge Operations

On March 26, two New York residents were arrested at the Commercial Operations for smuggling prohibited weapons into Canada. Importation documents listed the items as cutting utensils. Upon examination, 158 prohibited weapons were discovered, consisting of a combination of spring operated knives and brass knuckles. The items were destined to a Toronto store. Both individuals were charged with under the Customs Act with making false statements, wilful evasion and attempting to smuggle. The men were released to the custody of the Niagara Regional Police.

 

On March 19, three U.S. residents entered Canada travelling in transit to Michigan. During a secondary examination, an empty holster was found in the centre console. When asked about the holster, one subject stated that he owned a firearm, but it was at home. A loaded handgun was found in a backpack in the trunk. The 49-year-old Michigan resident was arrested and charged under the Customs Act with making false statements, wilful evasion and smuggling. A court date has been set for May 5, 2016.

 

A total of three firearms were seized during this period.

 

Rainbow Bridge Operation

On March 26, two female pedestrians were walking around the Canadian side of the port of entry. After a discussion with an officer, it was determined they had expired visitor visas and were working illegally in Canada. The women departed Canada on March 31, 2016.

 

On March 18, a Kentucky resident was found with an undeclared firearm concealed within the liner of his suitcase. He was arrested and charged under the Customs Act with making false statements, wilful evasion and smuggling. He was released on a $10,000 cash bond with the next court date scheduled for May 20, 2016.

 

On March 18, seven foreign nationals were returning to Canada after being denied entry to the United States. One subject was arrested as there was an active warrant for his arrest under IRPA and a hearing date is pending.

 

A total of four firearms were seized during this period.

 

Queenston Bridge

On March 11, there were two undeclared firearms and ammunition seizures. At the traveller operations, a 49-year-old Montana resident was arrested when a loaded handgun was discovered under the front seat of his vehicle. Terms of release of $1,500 for the vehicle were paid and the traveller returned to the U.S. At the commercial operations, a 35 year-old Illinois resident was arrested when a loaded firearm was discovered behind the driver’s seat. The traveller paid terms of release of $1,000 for his vehicle and returned to the U.S.

 

Ambassador Bridge Operations

On March 31, a Windsor resident returning by bus declared he did not have currency/monetary instruments over CAN$10,000. During a search of his luggage, nine different types of currency equivalent to CAN$21,742 as well as gold bars worth CAN$10,234 were discovered. The currency and gold bars were not suspected proceeds of crime and were returned to the traveller upon payment of the terms of release set at $2,810.

 

On March 25, a male New Jersey resident stated he was coming to Windsor to visit his girlfriend. Fifty-two capsules found during an examination of the vehicle tested positive for suspected amphetamines. A check revealed the man already has a June 2016 court date for previous drug charges. The vehicle was seized and the $440 terms of release of were paid. The traveller was directed back to the U.S.

 

On March 12, two foreign nationals were referred for a secondary examination after the odour of suspected marijuana was detected. K9 examination was performed which resulted in positive indication on the subjects and their vehicle. It was determined that both men had extensive criminality in the U.S.

During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a bottle containing a clear liquid which tested positive for suspected amphetamines. Terms of release for the vehicle of $444 were paid and the subjects returned to the U.S.

 

On March 11, a vehicle was referred to secondary for declared pepper spray. The two Michigan residents stated that they were coming to Canada for one night. The officers detected an extremely strong odour of suspected marijuana. A plastic bag in the passenger’s purse as well as a jar under the front seat contained suspected marijuana totalling approximately 76 grams. Currency totalling US$1,200 was discovered and seized as proceeds of crime. The vehicle was seized with terms of release set at $1,430. The travellers, suspected narcotics and currency were turned over to the Windsor Police Service.

 

One gun was seized during this period.

 

Windsor Tunnel Operations

On March 31, a 19-year-old Windsor resident travelling on the Tunnel Bus was referred for examination. Photos and text messages indicated the female may be involved in the trafficking of narcotics which she admitted during an interview. A personal search determined the woman was attempting to smuggle 40 pills containing a suspected narcotic, internally. The woman and suspected narcotics were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

 

On March 11, three foreign nationals were arrested when over 100 credit cards and a fraudulent license were discovered during a search of their vehicle. The travellers were turned over to the Windsor Police Service.

 

One gun was seized during this period.

 

St. Clair District Operations

On March 26, three foreign nationals, on their way back to Alberta after visiting Ottawa, were turned back by Port Huron U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers after a GPS wrong turn brought them to the border point. One client was determined to be working and studying in Canada illegally.

 

Enforcement and Intelligence Division

On March 2, two U.S. residents made a wrong turn onto the Windsor Ambassador Bridge. During an examination, information connecting one of the travellers to the selling of guns in the U.S. as well as a possible gang connection was discovered. An officer informed U.S. CBP and the travellers were returned to the U.S.

 

On March 17, four foreign nationals were discovered during an investigation at a Niagara floral company. Two were arrested for warrants for overstaying and two for working without authorization.

 

On March 11, a foreign national was arrested in a London residence as it was determined he had been in Canada since 2013 illegally. The client was transported to Toronto for removal proceedings.

 

 

SOR Comparison of Seized Items for March 2016 vs 2015

 

 

 

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