September 2016

Ambassador Bridge

 

On September 20, two returning Canadian residents declared CAN$760 in antiquities, including a Woolly Mammoth tusk. Upon further examination, the actual value of the items was discovered to be CAN$6,100. Although there were no restrictions on the importation of the items, the traveller was required to declare the proper value. A CAN$3,317 penalty was paid and the goods were released. Had the items been properly declared, the amount for import would have been CAN$98. No charges were laid.

 

Windsor-Detroit Tunnel

 

On September 12, a Michigan-plated vehicle was referred for examination. The driver made a spontaneous declaration that he had a handgun in his car. The loaded weapon was discovered in the driver's side door and seized. The driver was arrested for smuggling and was charged under the Customs Act with non-report and possession of an unlawfully imported good. He was released on a CAN$120 recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court again on November 7 to speak to the charges.

On September 16, three male travellers from the United States were referred for an examination. The search resulted in the discovery and seizure of a loaded handgun located in the centre console. All three travellers were placed under arrest without incident. The rear passenger took ownership of the firearm and was charged under the Customs Act with non-report and possession of an unlawfully prohibited good. The remaining two travellers were released. A recognizance of CAN$500 was collected to compel the man to appear in court. He will appear in court to set a date for a trial on November 7.

 

Blue Water Bridge

 

On September 1, a husband and wife from Pennsylvania were referred for an examination. Both stated they had nothing to declare. While in secondary, the male driver admitted that he had an unloaded handgun in a cooler bag in the trailer. The handgun was seized as well as 47 rounds of ammunition that were located near it. The driver was arrested for attempting to smuggle a firearm into Canada. CBSA Criminal Investigations attended and the man was charged under the Customs Act with making false statements, evading or attempting to evade compliance with the Act, and smuggling and was released on a CAN$500 recognizance. The man failed to attend court on October 12 and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

On September 8, a male U.S. resident was referred for a secondary exam. Although no firearms were declared, a handgun was located in his luggage in the trunk of the vehicle. During the man’s arrest, a second handgun was also found in a holster on his belt. Both firearms were loaded and ready to be discharged. The handguns were seized and the traveller was charged under the Customs Act with non-report, making false statements, evading or attempting to evade compliance with the Act as well as possession of an unlawfully prohibited good and released after paying a CAN$500 recognizance. The traveller failed to appear in court on October 26 and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

 

Peace Bridge

 

On September 4, three travellers arrived at the Peace Bridge in a pickup truck with camper and were referred for an examination. A loaded magazine was discovered in a backpack. The ongoing examination eventually resulted in the discovery of two handguns. Shotgun shells were found within a duffle bag, which prompted one traveller to admit that there ‘may’ be a shotgun in the camper. A shotgun with a pistol grip was found in a compartment that was built into the sleeping quarter of the camper. All three firearms were seized and the CBSA charged the man under the Customs Act with making false statements, evading or attempting to evade compliance with the Act, and smuggling. The Niagara Regional Police Service also attended and charged him under the Criminal Code with unauthorized importation of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, unauthorized possession of a firearm with ammunition, as well as carrying a firearm in a careless manner. Bail was set at CAN$12,500 and he is to appear in court on November 15.

On September 8, a female from the United States was referred for a further examination after stating that the purpose of her visit was to work. The woman had no authorization to work in Canada. The examining officer detected the odor of an alcohol on her breath and an open container of alcohol was found in the vehicle. Furthermore, the female was in possession of approximately three grams of heroin and several syringes that were seized. Database checks indicated that the woman had been convicted in New York State for driving under the influence as well as narcotics possession. No criminal charges were laid but the traveller was refused admission to Canada.

 

Rainbow Bridge

 

On September 18, two U.S. residents were referred for an examination. The search resulted in the discovery of 1.5 grams of suspected cocaine and one gram of suspected fentanyl in both a purse and in one of the traveller’s clothes pockets dispersed within 29 individual bags. The suspected narcotics were seized and a vehicle penalty was assessed at CAN$800. No criminal charges were laid. However, the travellers were refused entry into Canada.

On September 4, two male U.S. residents arrived at the Rainbow Bridge. Both travellers were asked if they were carrying any firearms or weapons. Although they declared no such items, a loaded handgun was discovered as well as two magazines. The items were seized and both travellers were placed under arrest without incident. The travellers were refused entry into Canada after a conveyance penalty of CAN$1,000 was paid. There were no criminal charges laid.

 

Queenston-Lewiston Bridge

 

On September 24, a New York resident, who was previously refused entry into Canada, attempted to cross at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge. Although the traveller had declared two long guns and his intent was to go bear hunting, an examination of the vehicle revealed an undeclared semi-automatic handgun in a holster pushed down between the seat and the centre console. The man was arrested without incident. He was charged under the Customs Act with making false statements, evading or attempting to evade compliance with the Act, and smuggling. He was then released on a US$370 recognizance. He will appear in court on November 3.

On September 22, officers at the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge used the Heimann Cargo Vision Mobile (HCVM) unit to scan an empty single car hauler's trailer. The vehicle was driven by a Canadian resident who had declared he had been out of the country since September 18 with a declaration of one bottle of alcohol and one carton of cigarettes. The HCVM team located a natural void which contained four cases of vodka. The total amount of alcohol was calculated to be 42 litres with a value of US$320. The CBSA Criminal Investigations unit was contacted and the man was charged under the Customs Act with making false statements, evading or attempting to evade compliance with the Act, and smuggling. He was released on an appearance notice with a requirement to appear in court on November 3.

 

Inland Enforcement

 

On September 1, CBSA Inland Officers responded to a call from the Chatham-Kent Police Service. The police had custody of a United States resident who was arrested on the evening of August 31 for domestic assault and breaking and entering. The man was a previous deportee who was in Canada on a temporary resident permit although that permit had expired on August 31. His removal from Canada was stayed pending the outcome of the criminal charges.