Two men facing charges in separate incidents
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Criminal Investigations Unit has laid a total of 16 charges against two individuals in separate seizures at the port of Coutts, Alberta. Each man is each facing four charges under the Customs Act and four charges under the Criminal Code.
On July 14, 2014, Donald Lloyd Hardinger, 49, of Vernal, Utah was arrested by CBSA officers after they seized the following seven firearms from his travel trailer: two non-restricted shotguns, three non-restricted rifles, one restricted semi-automatic rifle; and one restricted handgun, which was fully loaded. Hardinger was released on $6,000 recognizance until his first court appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on September 9, 2014.
On July 16, 2014, Christopher Michael Grosstephan, 33, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, was arrested by CBSA officers after they seized the following five firearms from his van: two non-restricted rifles; two restricted handguns; and one prohibited semi-automatic pistol, which was fully loaded and located next to the driver’s seat. Grosstephan was released on $6,000 recognizance until his first court appearance in Lethbridge Provincial Court on September 11, 2014.
Quick Facts
- Officers in southern Alberta have seized 30 undeclared firearms in 2014.
- 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.
- Failure to declare goods, including firearms, and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law.
Quotes
“CBSA officers in the Prairie Region are relentless in their efforts to intercept firearms from being smuggled into Canada. Our goal will continue to be to target and disrupt smugglers in order to provide security to Canadians and to prevent these firearms from ending up in criminal hands.”
Kim Scoville, Acting Regional Director General, CBSA Prairie Region
Associated Links
Fact Sheet: Planning to Bring Firearms to Canada?
Importing a Firearm or Weapon into Canada
Contact
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
PrairieMedia@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
1-844-245-2272
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