Backgrounder May 2016
Backgrounder
Backgrounder May 2016
Ambassador Bridge
On May 2, two non-residents made a wrong turn onto the Ambassador Bridge. Upon exiting the vehicle in secondary, the subjects admitted that there were drugs in the vehicle. Both were placed under arrest and personal searches were conducted. An examination of the vehicle with detector dog assistance resulted in the following: 413.9 grams of marijuana wax butter, 916 grams of marijuana cookies, 148.9 grams of marijuana, 220 tabs of LSD, 1 tab of Xanax, and US$999. All of the drugs were seized, and a vehicle penalty assessment of CAN$1,200 was issued and paid by the travellers, who returned to the United States (U.S.).
During the search of a non-resident U.S.-plated vehicle at the Ambassador Bridge on May 20, a machete was discovered hidden under the driver's seat. The three travellers, one male and two females, were frisked. The male was found to be carrying in his pocket, a pocket knife and a zip lock bag containing suspected cocaine, weighing 9.1 grams. All three travellers were arrested. After paying a $4,000 conveyance penalty all three travellers returned to the U.S.
On May 28, 2016, two non-residents were referred for a secondary examination. Upon exam of the vehicle, an undeclared and loaded pistol was located in the console. Both subjects were arrested. An additional loaded firearm was found in the glove box with an additional magazine. A CBSA Criminal Investigator was contacted and charged one traveller with three charges under the Customs Act: non-report, false statements and two counts of possession of prohibited goods. The traveller was released on their own recognizance with a July 11, 2016 court date. The firearms and prohibited magazines were seized, the vehicle was released on payment of the $2,500 penalty and the two non-residents returned to the U.S.
Windsor Tunnel
On May 6, a Washington-plated vehicle was referred for examination. The male non-resident driver was dropping off two female residents at the train station. During the examination, a loaded handgun was located in driver side door storage area. The male driver was frisked and another 14-round magazine was found in a pocket. He claimed the handgun, was arrested and CBSA Criminal Investigations charged him under sections 155 and 159 of the Customs Act. The female travellers were not arrested and released, and the driver was released on his own recognizance and returned to the U.S. via taxi. The vehicle remained in Canada until the vehicle penalty of $1,500 was paid on May 19.
Two Ontario residents were referred for a secondary examination on May 24, after one resident, away for five months declared $500 in goods. During the course of the exam, multiple undeclared items were found, and after affording the resident her $800 exemption, the undeclared goods totaled $13,965. All the undeclared goods were seized, and the terms of release of $4,167 were paid.
St. Clair District
On May 12, two non-resident travellers made a wrong turn and crossed the Blue Water Bridge. Officers seized 96.4 grams of suspected marijuana; 73.7 grams of suspected mushrooms; 2 ml suspected cannabis oil; and 0.5 gram suspected THC wax. One traveller was arrested as all contraband was located within their belongings, and the other subject detained until the completion of the examination. The vehicle penalty of $2,510 was paid and both travellers returned to the U.S.
On May 14, a lone male Florida resident driving a campervan crossed the Blue Water Bridge and was referred to secondary for further examination. During the search of the vehicle, US$9,182 in total was found in the dashboard console and coffee tin in the pantry. A baton and a can of pepper spray were also found. The male traveller was initially detained under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act for the undeclared currency, and later arrested for the prohibited weapons. After further investigation, the currency and prohibited weapons were seized for non-report, and the traveller was issued a vehicle penalty of $500 for the prohibited weapons, and $250 terms of release for the undeclared currency. The traveller paid the terms of release and conveyance penalty and returned to the U.S.
Peace Bridge
On May 5, two non-residents coming to Canada for the weekend were referred to secondary for further processing. During the vehicle exam, a firearm and holster were discovered under the driver's seat. The magazine in the firearm was an overcapacity magazine with 19 rounds. Both subjects were arrested, the firearm and magazine seized and a conveyance penalty of $1,500 was assessed. Once payment was made, the travellers proceeded into Canada.
Rainbow Bridge
On May 28, two non-resident travellers from Georgia on a motorcycle were referred for a secondary examination. Discovered amongst clothing in the luggage of the male traveller were an undeclared pistol, a vial of suspected steroids, and a small quantity of pills in a bottle with no prescription labels affixed. Both subjects were arrested, and all the items were seized.
Criminal Investigations attended and charged the male traveller under paragraphs 153(a), 153(c), and section 159 of the Customs Act, and he was released on a recognizance to attend court on July 14. The female traveller was not charged. After paying the vehicle terms of release of $1,000, the travellers returned to the U.S.
On May 28, two non-residents from Rochester, NY were arrested and returned to the United States after an examination revealed an undeclared firearm in a holster inside the glove compartment of the vehicle. The firearm was seized, and a Criminal Investigation officer charged one of the travellers under paragraphs 153(a), 153(c), and section 159 of the Customs Act. A vehicle penalty was assessed at $1,000 and paid. The traveller charged was released on a recognizance to attend court on July 7, and both travellers returned to the U.S.
On May 30, five non-residents from Kansas crossed into Canada to view Niagara Falls and were referred for a secondary examination. A firearm was found during the vehicle examination in the backseat pocket of the passenger seat. The male driver took responsibility for putting the firearm in the vehicle and was arrested. A Criminal Investigations Officer charged the driver under Customs Act paragraphs 153(a), 153(c) and section 159 and released the driver on a $360 recognizance. The subject's first court appearance is scheduled for July 14, 2016 at the St. Catharine’s court house. The other travellers were not charged. The terms of release of $1,000 were paid and all the travellers returned to the U.S.
Queenston-Lewiston Bridge
On May 4, 400 steroid pills were seized from two Ontario residents. During the examination of the vehicle, the pills were located in the centre console under paperwork. Both residents were arrested, and further examination by the detector dog was non-resultant. The pills were seized, the vehicle penalty of $2,860 was paid and the residents were released.
On May 20, an undervalued antique sports car cost the importer an additional $15,682 in terms of release penalty. Two Ontario residents were referred to pay taxes and importation fees on the vehicle after declaring a purchase price of $21,000. During the exam, officers determined that the actual value was $56,122. The vehicle was seized for undervaluation and the penalty was assessed and paid for its release.
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