In Manitoba, there were 262,075 people processed for entry into Canada travelling in 104,560 vehicles, as well as 16,924 commercial trucks. At Emerson alone, more than 7,700 vehicles entered Canada over the August long weekend.
Officers finalized 112 permanent resident applications and issued 148 work permits and 21 study permits. Finally, 140 people were refused entry.
Here are a few events from select border crossings in Manitoba last month:
Emerson
On August 8, a Winnipeg mother and daughter arrived at Emerson and declared $1,100 in goods and three packages of cigarettes. When officers were completing the entry for the payment of duties and taxes, they noted the mother had previously failed to declare goods to CBSA in August 2011. Officers asked for their receipts, which totalled $1,453US. When asked about the discrepancy, the woman said $1,100 was a rough estimate. An exam of the vehicle revealed an additional $417US in undeclared goods. Because this was a second infraction, the goods were automatically seized and the woman was required to pay $578.11 to retrieve them. The woman would have paid an additional $50 in taxes had she properly declared her purchases.
On August 8, CBSA officers seized a loaded .25 calibre pistol hidden in the trunk of a vehicle. The 73-year-old Arkansas man declared no firearms. The prohibited firearm was seized; the man was issued a $1,000 penalty and was refused entry into Canada.
On August 15, CBSA officers seized a stun gun from a commercial driver who failed to declare the prohibited weapon. The stun gun was seized and the man was issued a $500 penalty.
On August 19, an Alberta man returned to the port after being refused entry into the U.S. Background checks revealed the man was on bail for 17 fraud charges stemming from his alleged involvement in a large skimming operation for credit card fraud, theft, and possession of goods obtained by crime. The man was prohibited from travelling outside Alberta and was wanted for breach of conditions. He was arrested and turned over to RCMP.
On August 29, a Saskatoon commercial driver was arrested and turned over to RCMP after officers determined the man had a conviction for impaired driving and was prohibited from operating a motor vehicle Canada wide.
On August 31, a 1983 luxury sports car, declared at $64,400US, was being imported from Michigan on a commercial carrier into Canada. Officers questioned the price of the vehicle and found evidence to suggest the vehicle may have been purchased for much more. Officers interviewed the buyer from British Columbia by telephone and he admitted to paying $139,300 for the vehicle and said the seller encouraged him to undervalue the purchase price at the border. The vehicle was seized and the buyer was required to pay $40,890.16 to reclaim it. The importer would have paid $6,995 in GST had the vehicle been properly declared.
Other Ports
On August 13, CBSA officers at the port of Crystal City refused entry to a Colorado man travelling to Alaska as he was unable to demonstrate that his criminal charges for attempted murder, reckless DUI, and vehicular assault were dismissed.
On August 14, a 69-year-old Tennessee man and his wife were traveling via the port of Cartwright to sight-see for the day, however they were refused entry as the man had multiple convictions for burglary.
On August 18 in Boissevain, officers encountered a 19-year-old male and 16-year-old female returning from a day trip to North Dakota. They declared $400 worth of goods, and were required to pay $29.40 in duties and taxes. As officers were about to begin a routine exam of the vehicle, officers noted the tires on the vehicle were brand new, and they found a receipt for $1,671 for four tires purchased the same day in North Dakota. The man was issued a penalty of $412.95 but would have paid $200 in taxes had he properly declared the tires.
On August 28, CBSA officers in Winkler seized a prohibited revolver from a Washington state man. He was issued a $1,000 penalty and refused entry into Canada.
On August 29, officers at the port of Lyleton refused an Arizona man entry into Canada. The 47-year-old was evasive about the purpose of his trip to Canada and background checks revealed he had several previous convictions for assault, cruelty to animals, threats, intimidation, disorderly conduct.
On August 30, officers at the port of Cartwright refused entry to a 56-year-old woman who was coming to camp in Manitoba. Background checks revealed the woman was convicted of assault causing bodily harm and within the past month had been convicted of criminal trespassing, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Officers also seized six cans of pepper spray and two knives in her vehicle.
On August 30 in Boissevain, CBSA officers seized a $3,900 motorcycle from a 43-year-old Brandon man after he undervalued it by $1,400. The man said he was trying to save money on duties and taxes, but he ended up paying $764.53 in order to reclaim the motorcycle. Had he made a full declaration, he would have paid $468 in taxes.
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.
