CBSA Atlantic Region Border Highlights - April to October 2016

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share highlights of its activities in Atlantic Canada from April to October 2016.

The CBSA’s mandate is to facilitate the free flow of persons and goods, while protecting the safety and security of Canadians and ensuring that Canada's borders are not used for illegal activity. The CBSA processed approximately 3 million travellers in the Atlantic Region from April to October 2016.

Nova Scotia

• From April 1, 2016 to September 30, 2016, the CBSA in Halifax intercepted and detained 32 stolen vehicles destined for foreign countries, under the Customs Act (section 101). The total estimated value of these vehicles is over a $1 million.
• On June 7, 2016, CBSA officers were notified of a vessel arriving in Shelburne, Nova Scotia with three foreign nationals on board. On the way to inspect the vessel, border services officers received information from a tip that a number of bags had been found in the woods in Shelburne containing wine, rum, tobacco and marijuana. Officers interviewed the three individuals and determined that the bags found in the woods were their property. The three travellers were arrested, and their vessel and all other items were seized. The total seizures from the hidden bags and boat totalled 39.9 litres of alcohol, 0.79 kg of tobacco and 17.46 grams of marijuana. Each traveller was charged with three offenses under the Customs Act: non-report of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana; making false statements; and smuggling. After plea negotiations, they each pled guilty to non-reporting. Fines of $2,500 (for the captain), $1,000, and $500 were charged to the three travellers for a total of $4,000.
• On August 16, 2016, CBSA officers, along with members of the Internet Child Exploitation unit of the Integrated Halifax Regional Police/RCMP Criminal Investigation Division unit, discovered child pornography on an electronic device while searching a vessel. It was later determined that the electronic device belonged to a crewmember of the vessel. CBSA officers arrested the individual and turned him over to Halifax police. He was then released. The CBSA charged him with smuggling under the Customs Act and Halifax police laid charges of possession of child pornography under the Criminal Code. He will return in court on November 25, 2016.

New Brunswick

• In April 2016, officers seized over $3,000 worth of undeclared tobacco and alcohol from a Nova Scotia resident entering Canada at the Ferry Point port of entry after a five-and-a-half month trip in Florida. The individual was charged and appeared in Saint John Provincial Court on June 7, 2016. A guilty plea was entered for smuggling charge under the Customs Act and the judge imposed a $2,000 fine.
• In May 2016, a Canadian resident arrived at the Belleville port of entry. A search revealed he had not claimed the 2016 pickup he had purchased in Florida and the license plate on the vehicle belonged to another vehicle. Customs Act charges for non-reporting and false statements were laid in Woodstock Provincial Court on June 21, 2016. The trial date is set for April 10, 2017.

Related Products

CBSA Atlantic Region Statistics

Contacts

CBSA Media Relations
Atlantic Region
Telephone: 902-426-0900
CommunicationsATL@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Follow us on Twitter (@CanBorderATL), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.