The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today two significant firearm seizures, both resulting in criminal convictions.
On October 8, Ryan Byler, 22, of North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count under the Customs Act. He was sentenced to 21 days in jail and ordered to pay a $4,000 fine by a Winnipeg Provincial Court judge. Byler admitted to concealing a handgun in his vehicle during a secondary inspection at the port of Emerson on September 25, 2014. CBSA officers located and seized the undeclared prohibited 9mm handgun and ten undeclared prohibited over-capacity magazines.
On October 14, John Wayne Mast, 34, also of North Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count under the Customs Act for attempting to smuggle a prohibited loaded .45 calibre handgun into Canada at the port of Emerson on October 6. Eleven undeclared magazines were also seized from his vehicle by CBSA officers, including eight prohibited overcapacity magazines. Mast was sentenced to twelve days jail and ordered to pay a $9,000 fine by a Winnipeg Provincial Court judge.
Quick Facts
- Officers in southern Manitoba have seized 25 undeclared firearms this year, including 11 prohibited firearms.
- Canadian residents and non-residents importing firearms into Canada must declare them and meet all licensing and registration requirements under the Firearms Act.
- Failure to declare goods, including firearms, 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
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
1-844-245-2272
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