April 2015 enforcement highlights from the CBSA Southern Ontario Region

News Release

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share some enforcement highlights from border crossings in the Southern Ontario Region.

Three high value seizures occurred at the Peace Bridge in April as a result of secondary examinations. On April 5, a Florida resident failed to declare designer goods valued at $32,333, he was importing. The goods, which included handbags and jewellery, were seized and the man was charged under the Customs Act. On April 7, 20 undeclared new cell phones, with accessories, were seized from a Virginia resident. The goods were valued at $27,661 and the terms of release were set at $6,915. On April 11, officers discovered 10 bottles of undeclared wine with a value of $13,347 in a vehicle driven by a New York resident. The wine was seized with no terms of release and the female was arrested and charged under the Customs Act.

Seven undeclared prohibited weapons were seized at the Queenston Bridge. On April 4, a semi-automatic pistol was found in the vehicle of a Virginia man. On April 11, an Ontario resident did not declare a revolver located in his vehicle. On April 12, a revolver was seized from a Georgia resident. On April 17, a handgun and a shotgun were seized from a California resident. On April 27, a Florida resident was found to have a handgun and a revolver in his vehicle. A vehicle penalty was applied in each case.

Two undeclared guns were seized at the Rainbow Bridge. An Oklahoma man attempted to enter Canada with a semi-automatic pistol on April 7. A revolver was seized from an Illinois man on April 26. Both men were fined a vehicle penalty.

At the Bluewater Bridge on April 30, officers seized Can$25,065 cash as suspected proceeds of crime from an Ontario resident. The woman and the currency were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

On April 24 at the Windsor Tunnel, undeclared currency of Can$14,750, two prohibited gun magazines and 98 pills containing suspected narcotics were seized from a Michigan man. Terms of release for the currency and a vehicle penalty were applied.

At the Ambassador Bridge on April 25, three undeclared rings and loose diamonds weighing 30 carats were seized from a Michigan man. Terms of release for the jewellery were set at $3,279. On April 28, a Windsor man did not declare that the sports car he was driving was being imported. A penalty of $14,344 was applied.

Quick Facts

The CBSA advises all travellers that they are required to declare all goods they are bringing into Canada. Failure to declare goods and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law.

If you have currency or monetary instruments equal to or greater than Can$10,000 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency) in your possession when arriving in or departing from Canada, you must report this to the CBSA.
Canadian firearms laws are clear. All travellers must declare any firearms and weapons in their possession when they enter Canada