[
Lethbridge News] The Canada Border Service Agency released border highlights from February and March.
At the Coutts border crossing, 30,000 people entered Canada in February and 43,000 entered in March. During this same period, there were over 26,000 commercial vehicles.
77 people were refused entry, 218 were granted permanent residence status, and 218 received work permits.
At the Carway border crossing, 8,600 travellers entered Canada in February and 8,400 in March. There were a total of 140 commercial vehicles processed. Additionally, Canada Border Service Agency officers issued a combined total of 175 work permits and 350 permanent resident permits, while
20 foreign nationals were refused entry into Canada.
Coutts
On February 14, Canada Border Service Agency officers seized approximately 1,500 doses of Triazolam from an Alberta man returning to Canada. Triazolam, a sedative and controlled substance in Canada, was found amongst personal effects in the vehicle. The man admitted he obtained the pills in the U.S. as he could no longer get them in Canada. The pills were seized with no terms of release.
On February 26, Canada Border Service Agency officers seized $18,500 in undeclared currency from a Colorado woman visiting Canada. Officers reminded the woman of traveller obligations to truthfully declare all goods being brought into Canada and to declare currency over $10,000. She was issued a $250 penalty, the currency was returned and she was allowed to proceed into Canada.
On March 9, officers seized 7 large capacity magazines (able to hold 45 rounds) from a South Carolina man en route to Alaska. The magazines were seized and the man was issued a $500 penalty. He was allowed to proceed into Canada.
On March 9, Canada Border Service Agency officers refused entry to a Montana man who was moving to Canada. Background checks revealed that the man is a registered sex offender who had served a 10-year sentence served for sexual assault of a minor, in addition to other criminality. The man returned to the United States.
On March 20, a Montana man attempted to smuggle a 9mm prohibited handgun and 3 prohibited magazines into Canada; they were concealed under the back seat of his vehicle. The items were seized, and the man was issued a $1,000 penalty. He was denied entry to Canada and returned to the United States.
On March 27, officers seized two restricted revolvers from a Montana man. The man was referred to verify his declaration and before the secondary exam began, the man told Canada Border Service Agency officers it was possible he had some revolvers in his truck. The firearms were concealed in the back of the truck. The firearms were seized and he was issued a $2,000 penalty. The man was allowed to proceed into Canada.
On March 28, an Alberta man was returning from Arizona and was referred for further examination. When asked if he had any firearms and weapons, the man was evasive. Canada Border Service Agency officers began an examination of the motor home and found a .22 calibre pistol, four magazines, and 39 rounds of ammunition concealed under the floor of the motor home. The man also had a prohibited can of pepper spray. In the same space, officers located three bottles containing 4.25 litres of alcohol. Officers also found $1,300 in undeclared goods concealed throughout the motor home. The firearms, parts, pepper spray, and alcohol were seized, and the man was issued a $1,540 penalty. He also received an additional $300 penalty for not declaring the other goods. The Canada Border Service Agency is still investigating this incident.
Carway
On March 7, Canada Border Service Agency officers seized 16.5 grams of suspected marijuana from a Colorado man. During background checks, officers noticed he had previous criminality for marijuana possession. The drugs were located in a backpack in the back of the vehicle. He was issued a $500 penalty and refused entry into Canada.
On March 26, a foreign national arrived at the port to apply for a work permit. Background checks revealed he was not eligible for a work permit for a six month period as he had previously worked illegally in Canada. The man also admitted to working illegally at a restaurant in Calgary since November. The man was issued a removal order and has departed Canada.
On March 31, an Edmonton man was importing $2,000 in auto parts he had ordered online, for which he had no paper receipts. He was able to retrieve the receipt from his smartphone. However, when officers examined his vehicle, they found an additional $2,895 in goods that had not been declared. Background checks also revealed he had previous infractions for undervaluing goods. The goods were seized and he was issued a $675 penalty to reclaim them.
Had he properly declared he would have paid $145 in GST.
Del Bonita
On March 8, two Alberta men were returning from Arizona with two horses. The driver declared his horse had been purchased in the U.S. When the pair entered the office to finalize the import process for the horse, the passenger told officers that he was importing the second horse. The passenger was issued a $1,287 penalty for not declaring the animal, even after he was given several opportunities to be truthful.
Had he properly declared, he would have paid $65 in GST.
On March 9, officers refused entry to a Montana man as background checks revealed he had two recent DUI convictions. He was advised on proper procedures to apply for re-entering Canada.
Wild Horse
On February 17, Canada Border Service Agency officers at the port of Wild Horse intercepted two suspected impaired drivers in two separate incidents. Both drivers were arrested and turned over to RCMP. The Canada Border Service Agency has the authority to enforce the Criminal Code of Canada, and this applies in situations of impaired driving.
Police stopped one of the trucks, and they claim an investigation determined the tool box and tires had been stolen from a locked storage container. They arrested and charged the 18-year-old driver of the truck. Following further investigation, police identified the two male occupants of the second truck. Reportedly, a 30-year-old male was later arrested at his home, and police recovered the other tool box and additional tires. A warrant has been issued for the other occupant of the second truck.
[CJOC News] A Lethbridge man is facing drug charges stemming from a traffic stop on the north side Monday afternoon.
