March 27, 2014 The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) made three seizures at the port of Coutts on Friday, March 21st.
Sven Penaflor Garcia, 37, of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, was arrested when CBSA officers seized a loaded 9mm handgun and a prohibited switchblade knife concealed in his vehicle. The CBSA’s Criminal Investigations Unit has laid five charges against Garcia: three pursuant to the Customs Act and two pursuant to the Criminal Code. Garcia was released on a $1,000 bond and is to appear in Lethbridge Provincal Court on April 28, 2014.
A resident of Brooks, Alberta was arrested when CBSA officers seized approximately 300 tablets of a suspected controlled substance, Alprazolam. The individual was turned over to the Milk River Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Finally, a second individual from Alberta was arrested after CBSA officers seized a .22 caliber revolver along with more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The criminal investigation continues.
Quick Facts
- These are the fifth and sixth firearm seizures at the port of Coutts this year and the fourth seizure of a controlled substance.
- The CBSA advises travellers that they are required to declare all goods they are bringing into Canada, including any firearms and weapons in their possession.
- Under Health Canada legislation it is an offence to import a narcotic listed on Schedule IV of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act without a permit.
- Failure to declare goods and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law.
Associated Links
Fact Sheet: Planning to Bring Firearms to Canada?
Importing a Firearm or Weapon into Canada
Contacts
Lisa White
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
403-292-4011
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