July 2016 Media Backgrounder
Backgrounder
Ambassador Bridge
Five United States (U.S.) residents on their way to visit Niagara Falls on July 2 were sent for a secondary examination where a revolver was discovered under the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Officers determined the 58-year old driver was inadmissible due to criminality. The revolver was seized, $1000 was paid for the release of the vehicle and the five returned to the U.S.
On July 2, three U.S. resident female (29, 43 and 50 years of age), made a wrong turn into Canada. During an examination, officers seized an undeclared handgun, suspected cocaine, suspected heroin, suspected marijuana and six bottles of alcohol. Two were inadmissible for criminality. All three were returned to the U.S. after paying a $2000 vehicle penalty.
On July 3, three U.S. residents said they were coming to Canada to visit relatives. They stated they were not travelling with currency exceeding Can$10,000. A secondary examination resulted in cash valued at Can$26,106 in an envelope in the driver's pocket. After further investigation, the currency was released to the driver once terms of release of $250 were paid. They proceeded into Canada.
On July 3, officers discovered undeclared currency in two brown paper envelopes in a leather bag totalling US$28,129. The two men, a Canadian resident and a U.S. resident, were detained for smuggling currency. Upon further investigation the currency was released after the terms of release of $250 were paid and they proceeded into Canada.
On July 8, a U.S. resident was arrested for failing to declare collectible toys that he valued at US$39,000. While searching the vehicle, several boxes containing vintage toys were discovered. He intended to sell them to a buyer in Canada. The goods were seized for non-report and will remain at the port until they are appraised and a proper penalty can be assessed. He returned to the U.S.
Windsor-Detroit Tunnel
On July 1, a U.S. resident woman was arrested for suspected marijuana in her brownie loaf. The officers seized the 358 gram suspected marijuana brownie loaf and an additional 3.5 grams of loose suspected marijuana from her purse and vehicle. The terms of release for the vehicle were $1,348. She was unable to pay the penalty at the time and returned to the U.S., however she did come back for her vehicle and paid the penalty.
Officers arrested a Canadian resident who was subject of a Canada-wide warrant for breaking and entering issued by the Vancouver Police Services on July 8. The man, travelling by bus, initially tried to avoid presenting identification to evade detection. Windsor Police Services took custody of the man while arrangements could be made to transport him to Vancouver.
On July 21, a Canadian resident was referred for a secondary examination off a bus. During the exam of the female’s cell phone, suspected child pornography was found. She was arrested, the phone was seized as evidence, and the CBSA Criminal Investigation Division charged her under section 155 of the Customs Act. She was issued an appearance notice, and is scheduled to appear in court on August 29, 2016.
Blue Water Bridge
On July 20, a 68-year old U.S. resident was arrested for two undeclared loaded pistols. One prohibited pistol and one restricted pistol were discovered in the bedroom area of the motorhome. He was released on a recognizance to appear in court on August 24, after being charged under the Customs Act sections 12, 153(a), 153(c), 155.
A U.S. resident was arrested after two undeclared firearms were found in his vehicle during a secondary examination on July 26. The traveller was planning on transiting through to Maine and declared a shotgun to the primary officer. At the start of the secondary examination he made a spontaneous declaration of a pistol located in the vehicle. In total an undeclared pistol, a restricted rifle and an over capacity magazine were seized as forfeit. He paid a penalty of $2,500 for release of his vehicle, and returned the U.S.
Queenston-Lewiston Bridge
Two U.S. residents, a 58-year old male and 41-year old female, were charged on July 2 for not declaring two semi-automatic pistols that were found concealed in their vehicle. One pistol was loaded with a round chambered and was located within reach of the driver. Loaded magazines of a different calibre were also discovered. The Criminal Investigations Division charged both subjects under the Customs Act with making false statements, wilful evasion of the Act and smuggling. Niagara Regional Police Service took custody of the pair.
On July 15, while conducting a secondary examination on a U.S. resident traveller, officers confirmed the man was the subject of a family violence warrant from the Hamilton region. He was arrested, and the Hamilton Police Service attended the port of entry and took custody of traveller.
A U.S. resident was arrested on July 23 after first making a no firearms declaration to an officer, and then spontaneously declaring a handgun in the secondary inspection area. The male traveller was arrested, at which point he declared a second handgun was also in the vehicle. In total, officers seized two handguns and one dart gun. After paying the $2,000 terms of release penalty for his vehicle, he returned to the U.S.
Peace Bridge
On July 1, a 63-year old U.S. resident, in transit to Michigan, was charged for not declaring a firearm. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a black lock box in the trunk. The box contained a 9mm firearm and two loaded 10 round gun magazines. The man is facing charges under sections 153(a) and 159 of the Customs Act and is to appear in court on August 18. He was released on a $300 recognizance.
On July 22 two U.S. residents, driving separate U.S. vehicles but travelling together, were referred for secondary examinations. During the search of the vehicles, a firearm and six prohibited magazines were found and seized along with suspected marijuana and various pills. The two were arrested. The travellers returned to the U.S. after paying their vehicle penalties of $2,100 and $1,100.
Rainbow Bridge
On July 8, a U.S. resident male traveller was escorted to secondary for an examination from the pedestrian walkway. During the exam an officer found suspected child pornography videos on the man’s phone, and determined the traveller had shared/distributed the videos through a messaging app. He was arrested, and the cell phone was seized as evidence. The Criminal Investigations Division charged the traveller under sections 12, 155 and 159 of the Customs Act. The Niagara Regional Police Service took custody of the traveller. He was released on $10,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 30.
During a secondary examination on July 9, officers arrested two U.S. resident males and one U.S. resident female after two pistols and suspected marijuana were found on the male passenger. Both pistols, found in the man’s sock and pocket were seized, along with 4.2 grams of suspected marijuana. The CBSA Criminal Investigation Division charged the man under sections 153(a), 153(c) and 159 of Customs Act and released him on a $200 recognizance. His court date is September 1. The other two travellers were not charged and returned to the U.S.
On July 10, a U.S. couple was arrested after three handguns were found in their vehicle. One weapon was found in the bed area of the vehicle, and the other two weapons were located in the back seat. Also found were two 14-round magazines. The CBSA Criminal Investigations Division charged the pair under sections of 153(a), 153(c) and 159 of the Customs Act, and they were released on separate $300 recognizances. They are scheduled to attend court on September 1.
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