In Manitoba this past November, there were 214,600 people processed for entry into Canada travelling in 54,000 vehicles and 16,000 commercial trucks. Officers finalized 81 permanent resident applications and issued 97 work permits and nine study permits. Finally, 63 people were refused entry, mainly for previous criminal histories.
At Emerson, the province’s largest border crossing, there were 82,000 people processed for entry into Canada travelling in 23,000 vehicles; there were also 15,000 commercial trucks processed importing 61,000 shipments.
Here are a few events from Emerson and select border crossings in Manitoba last month:
Emerson
On November 1, CBSA officers seized two courier shipments each containing limited edition serigraph prints with a declared value of $2,960. Officers held the shipments on October 9, 2012, for examination. After assessing the importer’s statements and documents, officers determined the importer had provided a false bill of sale for the serigraphs and their actual value was $18,992. The importer has been issued an $8,946 penalty and the artwork has been held pending payment.
On November 7, a commercial driver from Minnesota was referred for further examination. Although he insisted he had no criminal record, background checks revealed two convictions and one outstanding charge for: assault causing bodily harm, harassment, and domestic abuse. He was refused entry and returned to the United States.
On November 7 and 9, CBSA officers arrested two Manitoba residents for breach of conditions in two separate cases. Both were turned over to local RCMP.
Three Saskatchewan residents arrived at the port of Emerson on November 9 and declared $473 in goods. While processing applicable duties and taxes for these goods, officers asked if they had any additional items for which they had no receipts. The traveller advised that they had $2,000 worth of ATV parts. The traveller advised that the primary reason for his trip to the United States was to pick up the parts; however he had forgotten to declare them. The actual value of the parts was more than $2,800 and officers found an additional $275 worth of undeclared goods. All goods were seized and a $787 penalty was issued for their release. Had the individuals properly declared their purchases, they would have only paid $388 in duties and taxes.
On November 20, a Winnipeg resident arrived at the port of Emerson, importing a motorhome declared at $6,500. After further investigation by CBSA officers, the individual admitted to paying $12,000. The motorhome was seized and a $3,000 penalty was issued. Had the importer made a truthful declaration he would have paid $1,440 in sales tax.
On November 21, CBSA officers seized four nunchaku weapons (picture supplied) from a courier shipment en route to Calgary. These weapons are prohibited and were seized.
On November 26, a Minnesota resident was refused entry for criminality. The man denied any criminal past. However, background checks revealed a lengthy and violent record for several convictions for assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, stalking, terroristic threats, etc.
Tolstoi
On November 29, two Nebraska residents were coming to Canada to buy livestock in Manitoba. The pair was referred for further examination where officers determined the passenger had no ID and he had previous criminality which made him inadmissible to Canada. Officers then conducted an examination of the vehicle and located an unloaded 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol (picture supplied) hidden behind the seats in the back of the truck. The firearm was seized, the driver was issued a $1,000 penalty and the pair returned to the United States.
Boissevain
On November 21, two Manitoba men returning from a trip to North Dakota were referred for examination. During the examination, CBSA officers found nine grams of suspected marijuana in the tool box of the truck. The driver claimed ownership and was arrested for smuggling prohibited goods into Canada. The suspected marijuana was seized with no terms of release. The truck was seized and released on payment of $220. The driver was released and both individuals left the port of Boissevain.
Traveller tips:
The CBSA reminds all travellers picking up purchases shipped to U.S. mailboxes to bring their proof of purchase and declare all items they are importing into Canada. In particular, travellers are asked to open their parcels and be aware of what’s inside to ensure all the items in the parcel match the invoice and the packing slip. The CBSA will require this to verify the declaration.
The Canada Border Services Agency is committed to keeping our communities safe. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060. For information on CBSA, please call 1-800-461-9999.
