Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers not only keep dangerous goods out of Canada, but also protect communities by screening travellers for other illegal activity. The CBSA is pleased to share a sample of May 2015 highlights from its southern Manitoba border crossings which underscore its commitment to protecting Canada’s security and prosperity.
On May 3 at Emerson, officers seized close to $31,000 in undeclared currency from two returning Canadians. Officers referred the pair for secondary examination, where they each admitted to being in possession of about $10,000 in cash. Background checks revealed the men had a history of previous criminality and neither was able to demonstrate that the currency was legitimately obtained. Officers seized the currency as suspected proceeds of crime with no terms of release. The investigation is ongoing.
On May 8, Emerson officers seized four undeclared firearms from a traveller enroute to Alaska in a vehicle without license plates. The man was referred for a secondary examination, where officers located two muzzleloader rifles, a shotgun, and a revolver in the traveller’s trailer. The weapons and vehicle were seized and the man paid a penalty of $1,550 for return of his vehicle, rifles and shotgun. The revolver was seized with no terms of release.
On May 15, a 33-year-old U.S. male was arrested for driving under the influence and for smuggling drugs after Sprague officers identified indicators of possible impairment during primary questioning and subsequent vehicle examination. An Approved Screening Device test for impaired driving was administered to the traveller, and produced a failed result. During a secondary search of the vehicle, officers located several items which tested positive for the presence of suspect marijuana, including a baggie with a green leafy substance inside. CBSA officers arrested the traveller for impaired driving under the Criminal Code and for smuggling suspected controlled goods or substances under the Customs Act. No charges were laid; the man was issued an Allowed to leave Canada, and was returned to the United States when a relative picked him and his vehicle up.
The CBSA would like to remind all travellers of the continued restrictions on importing poultry products. It is prohibited to import all raw poultry and all poultry products and by-products that are not fully cooked from certain states. This includes eggs and raw pet foods sourced, processed, packaged or shipped from 15 states, including North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Montana.
Quick Facts
- In May 2015, CBSA officers in southern Manitoba processed 169,254 travellers in 57,972 cars; 22,606 commercial trucks; and issued 212 work permits, and three study permits.
- During this same period, officers arrested or temporarily detained eight individuals for various reasons, most for smuggling.
- Under Canada’s immigration law, foreign nationals who have committed or been convicted of a crime may be refused entry into Canada. For more information on overcoming criminal convictions, visit Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website.
Associated Links
Be Ready – Become a CBSA officer
Planning to Bring Firearms to Canada?
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Contact
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
PrairieMedia@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
1-844-245-2272
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