October 2016 Media Backgrounder

October 2016 Media Backgrounder

Ambassador Bridge

On October 14, a Michigan-plated vehicle driven by a male entered Canada at the Ambassador Bridge destined for Ontario. Viagra pills and USB memory sticks were found among the man’s belongings. One of the USB sticks contained pornographic pictures of teenage boys and children. The man was arrested for smuggling child pornography and was charged under the Customs Act with possessing illegally imported goods and smuggling. The subject was transferred to Windsor Police and after a first appearance in court on October 25, he was released on bail. His next court appearance is on December 15.  

On October 23, a resident of Southfield, Michigan, sought entry to Canada at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry. During the primary examination, the driver stated that he was not in possession of any firearms. The vehicle and driver were referred for an examination and a loaded handgun was located in the glove box. The Criminal Investigations Division was contacted and the subject was charged with non-report under the Customs Act as well as making false statements and possession of prohibited goods. He was released on a recognizance in the amount of CAN$400 and is to appear in court on December 19.

Windsor-Detroit Tunnel

On October 15, a six time previous deport was intercepted off the Tunnel Bus at the Windsor Tunnel. The subject was arrested and charged under the Immigration Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) with attempting to enter Canada without authorization. The subject was taken into custody by the CBSA, and on November 7 Roya Nasserian entered a plea of guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice for returning to Canada without authorization. She was sentenced to 120 days custody, three years of probation and given a CAN$100 victim fine surcharge.

On October 28, a Michigan-plated vehicle was referred for examination. The driver was dropping off two males coming to visit Canada. A loaded handgun was discovered in a purse in the vehicle. Although the passengers were allowed to proceed, the driver was arrested for smuggling. She was charged under the Customs Act with non-report, untrue statements, and possession of illegally imported goods and released on a CAN$500 recognisance order.

Walpole

On October 4, the Walpole Island ferry operation was suspended as a result of the detention of a traveller wanted for breach of conditions. Two border service officers maintained custody of the subject pending the arrival of the Walpole Island Police. The ferry operator was advised to remain on the U.S. side pending the transfer of the client to the police. The Walpole Island Police Department attended and took custody of the subject and the service returned to full operations after approximately 30 minutes.

Peace Bridge

Two individuals presented themselves at the Refugee Processing Unit for their scheduled appointment on October 3, 2016. The person claiming to be their anchor relative in Canada also presented themselves for an interview, from within Canada. Throughout the interviewing process, the interviewing border services officer had reason to suspect the validity of the relationship between the claimants with the anchor relative based on answers provided by both individuals. The claimants eventually admitted the relationship was false and that genuine documents had been obtained with fraudulent information aided by a Toronto area Immigration consultant. The anchor relative was detained for misrepresentation and the claimant and her son were found to be ineligible and were transported back to the United States. The file was transferred to CBSA Criminal Investigations in in Toronto for further investigation.

Rainbow Bridge

On October 14, a man crossed into Canada with his fiancée's personal effects in a U‑Haul trailer. The fiancée was not present with the subject at the time of his crossing into Canada. During a secondary examination and with the use of a mobile x-ray unit, an undeclared handgun was discovered in one of the containers within the U-Haul. Evidence was discovered that the firearm had been purchased by the driver in Pennsylvania. The man was charged under the Customs Act with smuggling, making false statements, attempting to evade the payment of duty and taxes, and failing to report goods and was turned over to the Niagara Regional Police. On November 18, Benjamin James plead guilty in court and was sentenced to 35 days served in pre-custody, 67 days of intermittent jail, 15 months of probation, 75 hours of community service, a $100 dollar victim fine surcharge, and a 10-year prohibition from owning or possessing firearms.

On October 16, a Texas-plated sport utility vehicle with a solo male occupant was referred to secondary for examination. When the subject exited the vehicle, it was noted that there was abnormal bulging in one pocket, so the officers performed a pocket examination. The subject, upon being asked to empty his pockets, produced a handgun. The officers gained immediate control of the subject's arm and escorted him to the ground to control the weapon. Once he released the handgun, he was handcuffed and frisked. The handgun was loaded, and a round had been chambered. The subject was charged and on October 17 he plead guilty to making false statements under the Customs Act. Travis Conn received a $5,000.00 fine and two days pre-sentence custody.