The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Criminal Investigations Unit has laid six charges against two individuals, in separate seizures, at the port of North Portal. Each man faces three charges under the Customs Act.
On July 19, 2014, CBSA officers examined a vehicle and seized the following undeclared items: a loaded .40 calibre semi-automatic pistol, a loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, 11 overcapacity magazine clips, one undeclared shotgun, parts for an M-16 assault rifle, two prohibited butterfly knives, and two prohibited switchblades. The CBSA arrested Lewis James Harpster, 50, of Belding, Michigan. His next court appearance is scheduled for August 27, 2014 in Regina Provincial Court.
On July 21, 2014, CBSA officers examined a vehicle and located a loaded 9 mm pistol in the centre console, as well as a loaded .45 calibre pistol, and a loaded .22 calibre pistol, inside a backpack. Officers arrested Richard Ray Peters, 65, of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Peters was in court on July 22, where he pled guilty and was sentenced to a $3,000 fine.
Quick Facts
- Officers in southern Saskatchewan have seized 24 undeclared firearms this year.
- Canadian residents and non-residents importing firearms and weapons into Canada must declare them and meet all licensing and registration requirements under the Firearms Act
- 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
“I commend our officers in North Portal for preventing such a large cache of weapons from entering our country. The CBSA will continue to provide security to Canadians by keeping these weapons off of our streets and out of our communities.”
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
Contacts
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
1-844-245-2272
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