During the month of January, CBSA officers in southern Manitoba processed more than 122,800 travellers, 52,200 passenger vehicles and 15,000 commercial trucks. CBSA officers issued 72 work permits, eight study permits and finalized permanent residency documents for 68 foreign nationals. Additionally, 59 foreign nationals were refused entry into Canada for various reasons, including criminality.
Some highlights from southern Manitoba in January are listed below:
On January 5, a Saskatchewan resident was importing a pick-up truck, declared at $7,600 at the port of Emerson. CBSA officers conducted a secondary examination and determined that the truck’s actual value was $10,300. The vehicle was seized and returned once a $1,490 penalty was paid. Had the traveller properly declared the truck, he would have paid $515 in GST.
On January 8, a commercial truck driver was coming to Canada, through the port of Emerson, to deliver goods. During a secondary inspection, the driver admitted he had previously been charged with pointing a firearm, but advised that he was never convicted. Officers investigated the charges and determined that they were still before the courts. He was refused entry for criminality, until his charges had been dealt with.
On January 14, a Manitoba resident declared a snowmobile he was importing at the port of Boissevain, at $4,428. Upon secondary inspection, officers determined that the actual value was $6,790. Officers seized the snowmobile and returned it once a $944 penalty was paid. Had the traveller properly declared the snowmobile, he would have paid $340.
On January 17, at the port of Emerson, a commercial truck driver was coming to Canada to deliver goods. During a secondary examination, officers found a prohibited switchblade. Further search of his belongings revealed suspected child pornography on his cellular phone. The traveller was arrested and turned over to CBSA Criminal Investigations. The matter is still under investigation.
On January 18, a U.S. resident arrived at Emerson, travelling to Alaska. The man’s criminal background included three DUI convictions and multiple burglary charges. He was refused entry to Canada and returned to U.S. authorities.
On January 19 at the port of Emerson, two U.S. residents attempted to enter Canada with a taser concealed in a storage compartment in the driver’s door. The prohibited weapon was seized and the driver was issued a $500 penalty. Following payment, the pair were permitted entry to Canada.
On January 22, a commercial truck driver was coming to Canada to deliver goods. During an immigration examination the driver denied having any criminal history, however further background checks revealed that she had previous charges for assault with a deadly weapon. The driver was refused entry until she could demonstrate there were no outstanding charges against her. She returned to the U.S.
On January 28 at the port of Winkler, two Manitoba residents were importing a horse trailer, declared at $15,117. Officers conducted a secondary examination and confirmed that the actual price was $16,124. Officers seized the trailer and released it back once a penalty of $1310 was paid. Had the travellers properly declared the trailer, they would have paid $806 in GST.
