Small border crossings made a big contribution to public safety in southern Saskatchewan last month, with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers seizing multiple undeclared handguns. They also refused entry to foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes.
On June 18, the CBSA Criminal Investigations Section laid charges in a firearms-related incident at Carievale, Saskatchewan’s furthest east border crossing. Cody Gerald Moe, 33, of South Dakota, faces charges of failing to report, making a false statement, and smuggling under the Customs Act, in addition to two Criminal Code charges. This stems from an April 28 incident when officers seized a 9mm handgun, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .22‑calibre rifle, and an overcapacity magazine. Mr. Moe is scheduled to appear in Estevan Provincial Court on July 13.
At the Northgate border crossing, officers seized a prohibited .22-calibre revolver from a 67-year-old United States (U.S.) man on June 8. Officers arrested the traveller, issued a $1,000 penalty, and returned him to the United States. On June 15, officers seized another prohibited handgun from a U.S. man. CBSA charges are pending.
Also at Northgate, CBSA officers refused entry to a 58-year-old Michigan man destined for Alaska on June 7. He had convictions for burglary, assault, driving under the influence, credit card fraud, and possession of dangerous drugs.
On June 24 at the Estevan Highway border crossing, a 33-year-old U.S. man was seeking entry to Canada. However, an examination revealed he had convictions for assault causing bodily harm, resisting arrest, and cocaine possession. The man was returned to the United States.
Small border crossings did not gain all of the attention in June: CBSA officers at North Portal, southern Saskatchewan’s busiest border crossing, seized three handguns from a traveller on June 26, bringing the running provincial total to 17 for this year. During their search, officers uncovered a prohibited .357-calibre pistol, a prohibited .45-calibre pistol, and a restricted .40-calibre pistol. Jeffrey Edward Kingsley, 56, of Alaska, pleaded guilty to smuggling under the Customs Act in Regina Provincial Court on June 29 and was sentenced to a $3,500 fine.
On June 11, at North Portal, officers refused entry to a 49-year-old Colorado man who had been convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide. They also issued a removal order against a foreign national on June 30. He was seeking to apply for a work permit, but officers determined he had been working illegally in Saskatoon for the past four months. He has since left Canada and is barred from returning for one year.
CBSA officers at the Regway border crossing also issued a removal order on June 1 to a 49-year-old foreign national who came to renew his visitor status. However, officers discovered evidence the man was already working in Canada without authorization. He has also left Canada and is barred from returning for one year.
Are you interested in a career in law enforcement? The CBSA is now hiring future border services officers to work at border crossings across the country through the Agency’s officer trainee selection process. To learn more about what it takes to become an officer, please visit the CBSA’s job opportunities page.
Quick Facts
- In June, CBSA officers in southern Saskatchewan processed 50,018 travellers in 18,655 vehicles, 13,246 commercial trucks, and 250 permanent resident landings.
- In June 2015, officers in southern Saskatchewan made 28 seizures of suspected drugs, undeclared firearms, undervalued purchases, and other items. On average, they refuse entry to 75 foreign nationals per month for criminality or other reasons.
Associated Links
Be Ready – Become a CBSA officer
Planning to Bring Firearms to Canada?
Be Aware – Poultry ban in effect
- 30 -
Contact
Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
PrairieMedia@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
1-844-245-2272
Follow us on Twitter (@CanBorder), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.
