June 2016

Backgrounder

Ambassador Bridge

On June 8, 2016, two non-residents were sent for examination after making a wrong turn and crossed the Bridge on route to a wedding in Michigan. During the exam, two undeclared assault rifles, two prohibited magazines, and $40,010 in undeclared currency were found. Both travellers were arrested and the items were seized with no terms of release, with the currency seized as suspected proceeds of crime. Vehicle penalty of $2,500 was paid and the travellers returned to the United States (U.S.).

On June 13, two Texas residents were referred from primary after having nothing to declare. In secondary an officer discovered a box of ammunition under the driver's seat. Both travellers were frisked, and the passenger declared a firearm in the back seat of the vehicle. The firearm and prohibited magazine were seized and the travellers were arrested. The $1,500 vehicle terms of release penalty were paid, and the travellers were allowed entry into Canada.

Two non-residents were referred for a secondary and immigration examination on June 20. During the exam of the vehicle, a loaded handgun was found in the glove box.  The gun was seized and the two male travellers were arrested. CBSA Criminal Investigations charged the owner of the vehicle under sections 12 and S.155 of the Customs Act, and released him after he paid $400 for his recognizance. He has a scheduled court date of July 18.

On June 23, a male traveller, from Florida, was referred for secondary inspection. During the examination of his vehicle, a bag was found on the passenger seat floor containing suspected anabolic steroids in vial and pill form.  The suspected drugs were seized and he was arrested. The traveller was released after paying the vehicle penalty terms of release of $880, and allowed entry into Canada.

 

Windsor – Detroit Tunnel

On June 5, two non-resident females were referred for secondary inspection. During the examination, an undeclared and unloaded firearm was discovered in the passenger’s purse. The firearm was seized and the passenger was arrested. The vehicle penalty of $1,500 was paid and they returned to the U.S.

On June 9, five Illinois residents were referred for secondary examination. During the exam, the driver spontaneously admitted to not declaring a handgun to the primary officer. The firearm was unloaded and located in a backpack in the rear cargo area along with two prohibited magazines. The driver was arrested and the firearm and magazines were seized. Vehicle penalty terms of release of $1,500 was assessed, however the driver was unable to pay, so the vehicle was held for payment. The travellers returned to the U.S. Later that day the driver returned, paid the terms of release for the vehicle, and went back to the U.S.

 

Blue Water Bridge

On June 7, a van with six male travellers was referred for exam. One of the travellers was arrested when an undeclared handgun was found in their luggage. The handgun was seized, and CBSA Criminal Investigations charged the traveller under sections 12 (non-report), paragraph 153(c) (failing to comply with the Customs Act), and section 155 (possessing goods illegally imported) of the Customs Act. The traveller was released on a $250 bond.

On June 15, two Ontario residents were referred to secondary to pay duties and taxes and a secondary examination on an antique vehicle being imported and trailered into Canada. The driver declared the vehicle purchase price at US$20,000. During the course of the examination it was discovered that the amount paid for the vehicle was CAN$82,862. The vehicle was seized, and the driver was arrested. CBSA Criminal Investigations attended to lay charges under paragraphs 153(a) (making false statements), and 153(c) (evading compliance/payment of duties) of the Customs Act. The driver was released on a $500 recognizance with a July 20 court date.

On June 17, three non-resident travellers, two males and one female were attempting to transit to New York. The travellers had no intention of coming to Canada, and followed their Global Positioning System across the border. The female traveller was arrested when she claimed ownership of an undeclared firearm located in her camera bag. The firearm was seized along with pepper spray that was also found in the vehicle.  After paying the vehicle penalty terms of release of $500 all three travellers returned to the U.S.

During the examination of a non-resident vehicle on June 21, an undeclared prohibited firearm was found after the driver spontaneously declared a firearm in the centre console of his truck. He was arrested and the firearm was seized. CBSA Criminal Investigations charged him under paragraph 153(a) (false and deceptive statements) and 153(c) (evading compliance) and section (prohibited device) of the Customs Act. He was released on $500 recognizance.

 

Peace Bridge

On June 2, a New York resident commercial transport truck driver was referred for a secondary examination claiming he made a wrong turn onto the Bridge. During the examination of the cab area, a female non-resident was discovered hiding under a blanket. Both travellers were arrested. The female traveller admitted to drugs on her person which amounted to two grams of suspected marijuana. The drugs were seized, and the travellers returned to the U.S.  

On June 6, a 23-year-old New York resident, travelling on a bus was arrested when officers found suspected child pornography on his laptop. CBSA Criminal Investigations charged the resident under section 12 (failing to report goods), paragraph 153(c) (evading compliance), section 159 (attempt to smuggle) of the Customs Act. He is scheduled to appear in court on August 3.The traveller’s laptop and cellular phone were held as evidence and turned over to the Niagara Regional Police for examination. The traveller was released on $8,500 cash recognizance.

On June 11, bundles of cash were found in the waistband of one resident and one non-resident traveller, thanks to the observation skills of an officer and to a positive indication from the detector dog. The travellers were detained during the remainder of the vehicle examination, and the US$10,785 currency was seized as suspected proceeds of crime with no terms of release. Once the seizure documentation was complete, the travellers proceeded into Canada.

 

Queenston-Lewiston Bridge

On June 9, a non-resident commercial driver made a wrong turn and crossed the Queenston Bridge. During a secondary examination, an undeclared firearm close to the driver's seat in a console compartment was found. The firearm was seized and the driver was arrested. The driver paid the terms of release of $1,000 and returned to the U.S.

 

Rainbow Bridge

Two travellers from New York attempted to enter Canada to visit Niagara Falls and were referred to secondary for examination on June 10. During the secondary examination, brass knuckles and a loaded undeclared firearm were found in the locked glove box. Both travellers were arrested and the firearm was seized. CBSA Criminal Investigations charged one of the travellers under paragraphs 153(a) and 153(c) and section 159 of the Customs Act. The traveller was released on $500 recognizance.

On June 21, two travellers from Virginia, coming to Canada to see Niagara Falls, were arrested after a pistol was found in their vehicle during a secondary examination.  The pistol was seized and both travellers were arrested. CBSA Criminal Investigations charged one traveller under paragraphs 153(a) (false and deceptive statements) and 153(c) (evading compliance) and section 159 (attempted smuggling) of the Customs Act. The traveller was released on a $500 recognizance. The other traveller was not charged, and both travellers proceeded into Canada.

An Ontario resident was referred for an examination on June 26. During the exam, 93 pounds of chewing and loose tobacco were found. The tobacco was concealed in suitcases and duffel bags in the back seat and trunk area of the vehicle. The female was arrested and the tobacco was seized. CBSA Criminal Investigation charged the female traveller under section 159 (attempted smuggling) and paragraphs 153(a) (false statements) and 153(c) (evasion of duties) of the Customs Act. She was released on a promise to appear on August 4.  

On June 27, three travellers from South Carolina attempted entry into Canada at the Rainbow Bridge. The male driver was the subject of a criminal arrest warrant out of London, Ontario regarding domestic violence and uttering threats (2012).  He was arrested and London Police took custody of him. The other two travellers returned to the U.S.   

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