On May 5, 2014, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigators at the Lansdowne port of entry (POE) charged Stuart Barry Persky, 49, with three counts of smuggling, one count of making false statements and three counts non-report of goods under sections 12, 153(a) and 159 of the Customs Act. He was also charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a loaded prohibited firearm, two counts of careless transportation of a firearm and three counts of unauthorized import of a prohibited weapon under sections 95(1), 86(1) and 104(1)(a) of the Criminal Code.
Persky, of Niles, Illinois, arrived at the Lansdowne POE on May 2, 2014 in a commercial transport vehicle and did not declare any firearms or weapons. He was referred for a secondary examination. During the search of his vehicle, CBSA officers found two loaded .45-caliber handguns, one can of pepper spray, a machete, a boot knife, a box cutter, multiple ammunition magazines and rounds of ammo in the cab of the truck.
Quick Facts
- Canadian firearms laws are clear. All persons, including Canadians, must declare all firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada.
- Failure to declare goods, including firearms and weapons, and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law.
- Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.
Quote
“The CBSA takes its border protection responsibilities very seriously, including the interdiction of prohibited firearms and weapons. Firearm and weapon seizures like these serve as a reminder of the important role CBSA officers play in keeping our communities safe.”
- Lance Markell, CBSA District Director
Associated Links
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Contact
Caroline Desjarlais
Canada Border Services Agency
Northern Ontario Region
613-991-1591
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