The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of its second quarter highlights (April to July) from its various operations in Edmonton, including airport, commercial, and inland operations. This sampling underscores the CBSA’s commitment to keeping communities safe and ensuring our laws are respected.
Between April and July, CBSA officers in Edmonton seized 219 prohibited weapons entering the country in three separate incidents. These weapons included nunchakus, throwing stars and various knives. In one case on June 11, a shipment, declared as "flashlights”, was selected for exam. The shipment, from Thailand and addressed to a local address, revealed five stun guns. The stun guns were made to look like smart-phones.
On April 20, officers at the CBSA commercial office discovered approximately four litres of gamma-butyrolactone, also known as GBL, in a shipment originating from Shanghai. GBL is a common solvent, but used as a recreational intoxicant with effects similar to alcohol. GBL is a prodrug of GHB (also known as the “date-rape drug”).
On May 26, officers conducting routine outbound checks spoke to one traveller who declared he was travelling with US$6,500. After officers referred him for a more in-depth examination, they subsequently uncovered he actually had a US$50,000 bank draft (Can$61,520) and an additional Can$10,418.95, all of which was undeclared. The man was unable to demonstrate to officers that he had legitimately obtained the money. Officers seized the cash as suspected proceeds of crime under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act with no terms of release.
On June 12, detector dog Max discovered dried buffalo meat from India, chicken and beef from Kuwait, and milk powder in a traveller’s belongings. The passenger was required to pay a $650 penalty and the food products were seized. Travellers are often surprised when they are told that a piece of fruit or meat they are carrying can cause serious damage to Canada. Certain goods are restricted or prohibited because they can harbour foreign animal and plant pests and diseases that could threaten Canada's economy and pose a risk to human, plant or animal health, or cause irreparable harm to Canada's crops, livestock, pets and environment. Because of these threats, travellers are required to properly declare all meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, animals and plant or animal products they bring into the country.
Quick Facts
- 233,259 travellers and 2,271 flights.
- 2,562 travellers used the NEXUS kiosk to enter Canada.
- 645 permanent resident landings, 1,099 work permits, and 100 study permits were completed.
- 11 seizures of undeclared currency totaling $254,721.
- 17 drug seizures which yielded 1,796 grams and 3,130 doses of drugs.
- 1 child pornography seizure.
- 226,801 cargo and courier shipments.
Associated Links
Trusted Traveller programs: NEXUS
Recruitment – Become a CBSA officer
- 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.
