On June 9, 2015, in the Chilliwack Supreme Court, Gordon Lawrence Ellis was given a six-month jail sentence for attempting to smuggle images, video, and written electronic material of child pornography, contrary to section 159 of the Customs Act.
This case dates back to September 14, 2011, when Ellis was returning to Canada through the Abbotsford-Huntingdon port of entry and was referred for secondary examination. Border services officers examined his electronic media and discovered suspected child pornography. The officer seized the electronic devices and arrested Ellis.
The case was referred to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Criminal Investigations Section, where they identified a total of 105 written stories, nine videos, and 61 still images of child pornography belonging to Ellis.
Quick Facts
- The Customs Act prohibits the importation of certain goods, including child pornography as defined by the Criminal Code. The CBSA works closely with the Public Prosecution Service of Canada to prosecute to the full extent of the law those engaging in smuggling prohibited material into Canada.
- So far this year in the Pacific Region, border services officers have made 31 suspected child porn seizures, including 19 at the Vancouver International Airport.
- CBSA officers are always on the lookout for prohibited material and are trained to intercept these goods in all forms—printed material, film or video tape. Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border or illegal activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.
Quote
“As a result of a thorough secondary examination and the investigation that followed, this case has come to a successful conclusion. The CBSA takes its enforcement role at the border seriously. We are committed to preventing this prohibited material from crossing our borders and protecting the vulnerable in society.”
Harald Wuigk
Assistant Director, Criminal Investigations Section, CBSA Pacific Region
Associated Links
CBSA Border Watch Toll-Free Line
Contacts
CBSA Media Relations
Vancouver, B.C.
604-818-9701
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