The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of June 2014 highlights from the border crossings in southern Manitoba. This sampling underscores the CBSA’s commitment to keeping communities’ safe and ensuring our laws are respected.
In June 2014 there were almost 170,000 travellers who entered Canada at land border ports in Southern Manitoba in 67,000 cars and 25,080 commercial trucks. CBSA officers issued 152 work permits and 5 study permits, and granted permanent residency status to 567 people. They also denied entry to 106 foreign nationals for various reasons, including criminality.
There was a total of 23 seizures and over $5,000 paid in total penalties.
Here are some additional highlights demonstrating how CBSA officers in Manitoba are working to protect the safety and security of Canadians.
Emerson West Lynne
On June 1, a 54-year-old commercial truck driver was refused entry to Canada after background checks revealed a previous conviction for assault causing bodily harm. He returned to the United States.
On June 3, a North Dakota resident failed to declare a shotgun that was inside his vehicle. Officers seized the man’s gun and vehicle and returned them once a $200 penalty was paid. He was subsequently refused entry for previous criminality.
That same day, a returning Canadian declared a boat and trailer at $800. Through further examination, officers determined that he had actually paid $1,400. As a result of the undervaluation, the man paid $465 in penalties and taxes. If the man would have made a true statement, he would have paid $198 in total taxes.
On June 9, a 40-year-old Louisiana man was refused entry to Canada after background checks revealed numerous previous charges, including second degree battery causing bodily harm, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and fugitive ascension. The man returned to the United States.
On June 12, a Canadian commercial truck driver failed to declare a guitar purchased in the United States for $2,300. The man was bringing the guitar to Canada for a friend and failed to declare it to CBSA officers. He was issued a $1,725 penalty. Had he been truthful, he would have paid $115 in goods and services tax (GST).
On June 13, officers seized 48 action figures being shipped to an address in Canada after they had determined the shipment had been undervalued by $1,900. Officers contacted the importer and released the goods after a $1,071 penalty was paid. Had the importer made an accurate declaration, he would have only paid $314 in taxes.
On June 14, a Manitoba man was importing a vehicle declared at $1,086. Through further examination, officers determined that the vehicle was in fact purchased for $4,836. As a result, the vehicle was seized and returned once a total of $1,659 was paid. Had the man made a proper declaration, he would have only paid $628 in taxes.
On June 21, officers refused entry to a 29-year-old man after background checks revealed a 2003 charge for fourth degree criminal sexual conduct. The man was refused entry and returned to the United States.
That same day, they refused entry to a 42-year-old Minneapolis woman after background checks revealed previous convictions for assault with a weapon. She was returned to the United States.
Lyleton
On June 9, officers examined the vehicle of a returning Canadian and found an undeclared cell phone and cell phone case valued at $240 that had been purchased in the United States. The items were concealed between the front seats of the vehicle. The man was issued a $60 penalty; he would have only paid $12 in GST had he made a truthful declaration.
On June 21, officers examined a truck and trailer and seized a loaded 9mm handgun and two loaded magazines concealed in a duffle bag on the back seat of the vehicle. Officers arrested a 57-year-old Texas man and seized his vehicle. His vehicle was returned after a $1,500 penalty was paid. He was released on recognizance and his next appearance in Winnipeg Provincial Court is on August 11, 2014.
Boissevain
On June 17, officers examined the vehicle of a Georgia man, when they seized 120 rounds of ammunition and an undeclared handgun. In addition, they seized a personal amount of marijuana. The man paid $1,016 in penalties and the drugs and gun were seized with no terms of release. He was refused entry and returned to the U.S.
Winkler
On June 18, a Manitoba man was importing a recreational vehicle declared at $2,500. After a thorough examination, officers determined that the vehicle was actually purchased for $3,750. Officers seized the vehicle and returned it once the traveller paid $730 for its return. Had the man made a proper declaration, he would have paid $188 in GST.
Winnipeg airport and commercial quarterly enforcement highlights April to June 2014
The second quarter of 2014 was busy for CBSA operations in Winnipeg. There were 71,784 travellers at Winnipeg International Airport.
Officers processed 87 landings, issued 322 work permits and 26 study permits. 41 people were refused entry, including 14 for criminality.
Here are some additional highlights from April through June 2014:
There were 15 seizures of prohibited weapons, including brass knuckles, butterfly knives, nunchakus (a type of martial arts weapon) and push daggers. The most significant came on April 8th, when officers examined a courier shipment declared as a knife and located seven nunchakus. The weapons were seized with no terms of release.
There were 10 drug seizures by officers during this time as well. On May 17, while examining the luggage of a 28-year-old California man, officers found a bag of brownie crumble weighing 126 grams that tested positive for marijuana. The brownie crumble was seized and the traveller was refused entry into Canada.
In addition to preventing prohibited weapons and narcotics from entering Canada, officers seized a number of goods that were undervalued.
On April 22, CBSA officers examined a courier shipment destined to a residential address in Edmonton. The entire shipment was declared at $7. Once officers opened the shipment they found two designer purses as well various other goods valued at over $5,300. The shipment was seized and returned to the importer once a $1,600 penalty was paid.
That same day, officers examined a courier shipment labeled as used clothes. Inside the box, officers found $3,000 worth of new water ski equipment. The items were seized and returned to the importer once a $770 penalty had been paid.
On June 19, a 62-year-old California man was refused entry after a background check revealed robbery, burglary, assault, obstruction of a police officer and forgery. He was refused entry and returned to the United States.
That same day, a 57-year-old man was also refused entry to Canada after background checks revealed previous convictions for larceny, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and assault. He returned to the United States.
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.
