The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share its key highlights from Edmonton in 2014. Compared to 2013, there was a 9.4-percent increase in travellers and a 4.8-percent increase in flights entering Canada at the Edmonton International Airport: 963,600 travellers on 9,663 international flights.
In May, officers seized 3.5 kg of heroin from Brussels concealed in the lining of a backpack. In June, officers seized 197 kg of marijuana and 14 kg of heroin from a tractor trailer which contained goods from an overseas shipment requiring Customs clearance. In total, there were 89 drug seizures yielding 256 kg of drugs carried by travellers or concealed within shipments.
In June, the CBSA laid its first ever human trafficking charge in Alberta. The accused is also facing four charges related to the unlawful employment of foreign nationals. In July, three charges were laid in a related case against two people. Both cases are still before the courts. In November, a woman was convicted of fraud committed while acting as an unauthorized immigration consultant and received a six-month sentence.
In June, officers seized over $67,000 in suspected proceeds of crime from a traveller. In 2014, an additional 13 people failed to declare more than $260,000 in currency as required.
In 2014, Detector Dog Max intercepted almost 700 kg of prohibited meat, plant and animal products! Max’s interceptions have also led to officers uncovering undeclared currency, steroids, and an outstanding arrest warrant.
Additional Facts
- Officers issued 4,550 work permits and 545 study permits; and 1,857 people were landed as permanent residents.
- A total of 655 hearings were held before the Immigration and Refugee Board, including 338 detention reviews, 171 appeal hearings and intervened in 63 refugee claims.
- In 2014, 966,965 personal courier shipments and 228,287 commercial shipments were cleared in Edmonton, representing increases of 6.4 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively, over 2013.
- There were eight suspected child pornography seizures.
Associated Links
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Contacts
Lisa White
CBSA Media Relations
403-292-4011
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Photo: Boxes filled with 197kgs of marijuana seized in Edmonton on June 4, 2014
