The Canada Border Services Agency is pleased to share a sample of September 2013 highlights from its border crossings in Southern Manitoba. This sampling underscores the CBSA’s commitment to keeping our communities safe and ensuring our laws are respected.
Throughout September, CBSA officers processed 171,516 travellers and 68,907 cars at the 16 land border crossings in Southern Manitoba. Officers also processed 21,300 commercial trucks.
At the port of Emerson, Manitoba’s busiest land border crossing, CBSA officers refused entry to 84 people, many of whom for previous criminal records. They issued 131 work permits, 16 study permits, and granted permanent resident status to 116 people. There were also 17 seizure actions, which resulted in more than $7,000 in penalties for travellers who either undervalued or did not declare their goods.
On September 2, a family was returning to Canada through the port of Boissevain after shopping in the United States. After declaring a baby stroller and nothing else, officers examined the vehicle and found more than $1,800 in undeclared items including shoes, clothing and a laptop. All items were seized and a $500 penalty was issued for their return.
On September 10 at the port of Boissevain, a vehicle was undervalued by $1000. The vehicle was seized and returned to the importer after a $570 penalty was paid. The importer would have paid $290 in GST had he properly declared the vehicle.
On September 12, a Manitoba man was issued a $570 penalty for undervaluing farm equipment by $1000 at the port of Emerson. Had the man made a proper declaration, he would have paid $50 in GST.
That same day, a 36-year-old US resident entering Canada admitted to an assault conviction. Database checks revealed the man had multiple drug related convictions, including selling and possession of cocaine. He was refused entry into Canada and returned to the United States.
On September 15, three North Dakota residents in their early 20’s arrived at the Emerson port of entry after having missed a turn. The first individual had a conviction for assault, the second had a conviction for selling drugs on school property and the third had been convicted of a driving under the influence and multiple counts of driving while prohibited. All three were refused entry and returned to the United States.
A boat and trailer were undervalued by $4,000 at the port of Tolstoi on September 17. Officers seized the boat and returned it to the importer after a $2300 penalty was paid. Had the importer properly declared the boat, he would have only paid $520 in taxes.
On September 19, a commercial driver at the port of Emerson failed to declare $800 worth of text books that he had purchased in the US. Officers seized the books and issued a $200 penalty for their return. Had the importer properly declared the books, they would have only paid $40 in GST.
On September 20, a 24 year old Minnesota resident was refused entry at Emerson after background checks by officers revealed a conviction for sexual conduct with a minor.
On September 28, a Manitoba man undervalued a vehicle by $1500 at the port of Emerson. Officers seized the vehicle and issued a $850 penalty for its return. Had the importer declared the proper amount, he would have only paid an additional $75 in GST.
Screening travellers is one of the ways in which the CBSA safeguards the country’s borders. Officers at ports of entry in southern Manitoba work to determine the admissibility of individuals, investigate suspicious declarations, and identify drivers under the influence of alcohol. Through research and interviews, they prevent contraband such as prohibited weapons, child pornography, and illegal drugs from entering the country, helping to protect all Canadians.
If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-Free Line at 1-888-502-9060. For information on the CBSA, please call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999.
