The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of January 2015 highlights from the border crossings in southern Alberta. This sampling underscores the CBSA’s commitment to protecting Canada’s security and prosperity.
On January 4, Coutts officers seized a prohibited revolver from a Wyoming man travelling to Alaska. The man had declared four firearms to officers and subsequently declared the fifth firearm once the examination began. The firearm was seized and the man was issued a $1,000 penalty. He returned to the U.S.
On January 6, Coutts officers seized a taser from a Saskatchewan family returning to Canada. During a routine secondary examination, a youth admitted to having the prohibited weapon concealed in a duffle bag. The weapon was seized and a $500 penalty was issued.
Later that day, officers at Coutts made their first significant seizure of the year when they intercepted a commercial shipment containing 36 prohibited replica firearms. These replicas are made to look and feel the exact same size and weight as their real-life counterparts. Even upon close inspection, it is very difficult to distinguish whether or not these replicas are real or fake. Also, the importer’s permit was only valid for non‑restricted firearms. The replicas, valued at approximately $3,000, were seized with no terms of release.
On January 18, a commercial driver was refused entry at Coutts for a previous criminal record of child cruelty, drug trafficking, and for a driving under the influence. He attempted to enter Canada again at the same port on January 26 and was again refused entry as he did not meet the requirements to apply for a temporary resident visa. He returned to the U.S.
On January 23, a 23-year-old Montana man was refused entry when officers at Carway discovered a recent conviction for grand theft auto. He returned to the U.S.
Quick facts for southern Alberta in January 2015:
- There were 56,047 travellers, including 41,529 at Coutts and 7,463 at Carway.
- There were 11,984 commercial trucks and 28,289 shipments at Coutts.
- Officers completed 94 permanent resident landings and issued 47 work permits and two study permits at Coutts.
- Officers completed 85 permanent resident landings and issued 30 work permits and three study permits at Carway.
- Officers refused entry to 37 foreign nationals at Coutts and to 10 foreign nationals at Carway for criminality and other reasons.
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Contact
Camille Dupas
Canada Border Services Agency
204-983-4665 or 1-844-245-2272
PrairieMedia@cbsa.gc.ca
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Photo: 36 prohibited replica firearms seized at Coutts on January 6.
