Prosecutions and Seizures

Atlantic Region

Spanish citizen convicted of smuggling child pornography

Halifax, Nova Scotia, April 17, 2009 -The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that Jose Antonio Ortega Osona, 40, a Spanish citizen currently residing in New York, has been convicted under the Customs Act of smuggling child pornography.

Mr. Osona pleaded guilty today in Dartmouth Provincial Court to a charge under the Customs Act of smuggling prohibited goods, and to a charge of possession of child pornography under the Criminal Code. Osona was sentenced to 90 days in jail and was ordered to provide a sample of his DNA.

Mr. Osona was arrested after CBSA officers examined his personal belongings upon his arrival at Halifax Stanfield International Airport on Thursday, April 9, 2009. While Osona was being processed for entry into Canada, CBSA officers found explicit electronic images on a USB memory stick depicting child pornography. Further computer forensic examination by the Internet Child Exploitation Unit, comprised of members of the Halifax Regional Police and the RCMP, discovered over 800 images on various electronic media.

"We are committed to keeping this type of material out of our communities. This seizure reaffirms our role in the efforts to prevent the exploitation of children in Canada and around the world," said Andrew LeFrank, Director, CBSA Nova Scotia District.

Customs laws prohibit the importation of certain goods, including child pornography as defined by the Criminal Code. The CBSA works diligently to enforce Canada's laws against child pornography and to stop prohibited goods from entering Canada.

For information about prohibited importations, visit the CBSA Web site.

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For media information:

Jennifer Morrison
Communications
Canada Border Services Agency
Telephone: 902-426-2271