Loaded revolver seized by CBSA officers at South Junction.
CBSA officers in southern Manitoba processed more than 127,500 travellers in February and 174,500 travellers in March along with a combined total of 39,000 commercial trucks. During this period, officers issued 172 work permits, finalized permanent residency documents for 152 foreign nationals, and refused entry to 54 foreign nationals for various reasons, including criminality.
Here are some additional highlights from throughout southern Manitoba:
On February 5, CBSA officers at South Junction seized a revolver from a Minnesota man who was on his way to the Northwest Angle. CBSA officers examined his vehicle and found loose rifle ammunition and shotgun shells. They later examined the centre console area and found a holstered, loaded revolver. The man was arrested for smuggling a gun into Canada, the firearm and vehicle were seized. The man was able to reclaim his vehicle after paying a $1,000 penalty. He was refused entry into Canada and returned to the U.S.
On February 9, CBSA officers at Emerson seized a parcel shipment of 90 pills of Adderall, 120 pills of Alprazolam and 60 pills of Triazolam. The parcel was seized as these drugs are illegal to ship across the border, as per the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
On February 10, CBSA officers at Boissevain refused entry to a North Dakota man seeking to visit the local area for the day. Background checks revealed a serious criminal record including multiple DUIs, drug possession, child abandonment, and failure to appear. He was refused entry into Canada and the officers returned him to the U.S.
On February 15, CBSA officers at Emerson examined a courier parcel from a Minnesota art dealer destined to a Manitoba resident. It contained two framed pictures valued at $450. Officers were suspicious of possible undervaluation, upon examining the contents, officers determined the parcel was valued at more than $1,500. The importer was assessed a $600 penalty. Had she made a truthful declaration, the importer would have only been required to pay $75 in GST.
On February 20 at Boissevain, an Alberta couple was referred for further examination after officers detected a scent of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The pair admitted to marijuana use. During an examination of the vehicle, officers found traces of marijuana throughout the vehicle and as well as two bottles of Tamoxifen and Oxandrolone, which are controlled drugs, in the console of the vehicle; inside a duffle bag on the back seat of the vehicle officers found a small bag containing traces of white powder, six vials labelled as steroids, syringes and additional empty baggies. The suspected drugs and syringes were seized, as was their vehicle since it was used to smuggle the contraband. They were issued a $2,050 penalty to reclaim the vehicle.
January 21, CBSA officers at Emerson were examining a commercial carrier’s load which included a shipment of a 1950s classic vehicle declared at $8,000. While examining the vehicle, officers determined the vehicle had been sold for considerably higher than declared. The importer was contacted to advise the vehicle was being seized – he then told officers he had paid $20,000 for the vehicle and made a mistake by undervaluing it. Based on the circumstances and false invoices, the individual was issued a $6,700 penalty to reclaim the seized vehicle. Had he been truthful, he would have paid approximately $960 in GST.
At Boissevain on March 7, a Manitoba woman undervalued a horse she was importing. She told officers she traded an $1,100 saddle for the horse and had no receipt. CBSA officers contacted the seller to verify the purchase price and learned the horse was sold for $2,500. The woman was issued a $360 penalty for failing to properly declare the horse. Had she made a proper declaration, she would have paid approximately $125 in GST.
At Cartwright on March 11, a Utah man was seeking entry into Canada. Background checks revealed the man had numerous convictions, including four for DUIs, two for assault, and two for domestic violence. He was refused entry and returned to the United States.
At Boissevain on March 14 a Brandon couple was importing a travel trailer which they declared at $8,000. Officers referred the couple for further examination to verify the purchase price and complete the import process. Background checks showed similar trailers typically sold for far more. The importer maintained that he paid $8,000. Officers contacted the seller who stated he sold the trailer for $12,000.The importer then admitted he was only trying to save taxes – which would have been $600 in GST. Instead, the importer was issued a penalty and paid $2,200.
On March 27, CBSA officers at Emerson seized a .38 caliber semi-automatic pistol from a Indiana man who was moving to Saskatchewan to live and work. Officers performed a routine exam of his vehicle and trailer as he was referred for immigration purposes. During the interview and subsequent background checks, officers learned the man had not applied for a resident permit or a work permit. He also had a criminal record including assault in the 3rd degree, which made him criminally inadmissible to Canada. The firearms was seized with no terms of release, he was issued a removal order and barred from returning to Canada for one year, and issued a $500 penalty.
On March 30 at Emerson, a Winnipeg couple was returning from Mexico. They were referred for further examination where officers found one canister of pepper spray. The couple were questioned about this and the man admitted to having four more canisters in the vehicle. They were seized and he was issued a $500 penalty.
