On December 2, 2014 in the British Columbia Supreme Court, at New Westminster Law Courts, Christian Bonilla, of Edmonton, Alberta, pleaded guilty to three firearm related offences under the Customs Act and Criminal Code.
The Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Criminal Investigations Section (CIS), laid charges against Bonilla, including a charge under the Criminal Code for possession of prohibited devices, and two charges under the Customs Act for importing a prohibited firearm and smuggling. These charges stem from two separate incidents at the Aldergrove port of entry.
On April 23, 2011, Bonilla was returning to Canada and was referred for secondary examination. Upon an in-depth inspection of his vehicle, officers discovered six undeclared over-capacity MagPul PMAG .223 Remington calibre rifle magazines.
On May 26, 2011, Bonilla was again referred for secondary examination. A vehicle search revealed an undeclared prohibited Sig Sauer model P556 semi-automatic pistol.
These interceptions resulted in the CIS investigation and the guilty pleas on December 2, 2014, as well as subsequent investigations with other partners, including the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team and Edmonton Royal Canadian Mounted Police Customs and Excise.
Quick Facts
- Border services officers in the Pacific Region have seen an increase in firearms seizures this year and seized 72 prohibited, 54 non-restricted and 69 restricted firearms between January and November 2014
- CBSA’s Criminal Investigations Section has laid charges in 64 firearms cases in the Pacific Region (January – November).
Quotes
“The pleas entered this week are a result of the hard work of our border services officers responsible for intercepting these weapons on the front line, along with our investigators at the Criminal Investigations Section. After a lengthy investigation, CBSA officers have brought a successful conclusion to this case. Firearms offences are treated with the utmost severity, and we are extremely proud of the work of our officers and partners in this significant file.”
- Chief Doug Mossey, Criminal Investigations, Pacific Region
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Contacts
Media Relations, Pacific Region
Canada Border Services Agency
604-818-9701
