2020 Enforcement and Operational Highlights for CBSA Quebec Region -  Protecting and supporting Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic

December 10, 2020,              Montréal, Quebec                  Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Quebec Region, today presented operation and enforcement highlights demonstrating how CBSA employees in the region worked to protect our communities while supporting the economy in these unprecedented times.

The 2020 operational and enforcement highlights cover the period from January 1 to October 31, 2020.

Major adjustments to operations to support the Canadian government's response to the pandemic and prevent the spread of the coronavirus

In addition to implementing the government’s international travel guidelines, CBSA employees in Quebec mobilized to be able to process the numerous travellers arriving from abroad through land borders and those on repatriation flights in March and April. They also worked closely with numerous partners to facilitate the entry into the country of medical equipment needed by the provincial health care systems.

Laying of charges following a major investigation into a tobacco smuggling network

On September 25, 2020, charges were laid at the Longueuil courthouse in Quebec against 13 individuals linked to a criminal organization, following a major tobacco smuggling investigation called Project Butane. According to the evidence gathered during the investigation, this organization allegedly smuggled 88 shipments of bulk tobacco into Canada between September 2, 2017, and May 27, 2019. The organization's fraud schemes are estimated to have resulted in losses in tobacco duties and taxes exceeding $450 million. This case is still before the courts.

Despite the decrease in the number of travellers entering the country since March 2020, CBSA officers have maintained a high level of vigilance to prevent the illegal importation of firearms into the country. For example:

• On February 12, border services officers (BSOs) at the Woburn border crossing seized a restricted .40-calibre firearm with a prohibited 15-round magazine from a Maine resident requesting entry into Canada for a long transit to Colorado;
• On September 13, BSOs at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing found three loaded handguns hidden in compartments in various locations in a SUV driven by a Canadian; and 
• On September 15, BSOs at the Stanstead Route 55 border crossing seized an undeclared loaded 9-mm pistol from the center console of a South Carolina resident's van.

CBSA officers continue to intercept drugs at the borders before they reach our communities:

• On February 17, BSOs at the Port of Montréal seized 507 kg of opium in a sea container from Pakistan;
• On April 7, BSOs at Montréal-Trudeau Airport seized 21 kg of suspected opium from a commercial shipment from Iraq further to a referral from the National Targeting Centre. The value of the drugs is estimated at $1.2 million;
• On Saturday, July 11, the Flexible Response Team at Montréal-Trudeau Airport found a brick of nearly 1.1 kg of cocaine while supervising the unloading of the cargo on a passenger flight from Mexico.

The popularity of online shopping during the year resulted in a significant increase in the number of postal parcels processed. However, CBSA officers were keeping watch:

• While increasing the collection of duty and tax revenues on imported parcels by 20%, officers at Montréal’s Léo-Blanchette Mail Processing Centre (MPC) increased their rate of interception of weapons and weapon parts by 175%, compared to 2019;
• From January 1 to October 31, BSOs at the Léo-Blanchette MPC seized 342 prohibited weapons, including two high-capacity magazines, brass knuckles, push daggers and centrifugal/switchblade knives.

Trade compliance officers ensure that the correct amount of duties and taxes are collected on commercial goods imported into the country

A verification of the tariff classification of glassware conducted in August by the Trade Operations team in Montréal enabled the recovery of over $905,000 in duties and taxes on goods declared under an incorrect tariff code. The goods in question were disassembled shower doors, aluminum accessories and plastic parts, which had been imported under a code exempt from customs duties applying to decorative glassware such as vases, fish bowls, bird baths, trophies, etc. However, when they were classified under the correct tariff number, these goods were subject to 6.5% customs duty.

Several hundred stolen vehicles intercepted at the Port of Montréal prior to exportation

In 2020, the export controls team of the Montréal Marine and Rail Services detained nearly 730 vehicles valued at over $34 million. The members of this team work on a daily basis with several partners and have developed over the years a great deal of expertise in identifying vehicles and automotive parts.

CBSA officers remain vigilant to locate missing children and help return them to their rightful guardians

• In 2020, CBSA officers in Quebec recovered 12 children who were runaways, victims of parental abduction, left behind, unaccompanied migrants or otherwise missing.
• The CBSA also assists other law enforcement agencies with missing children cases, and BSOs at ports of entry assist with the repatriation of Canadian nationals brought home from abroad.