Prosecutions and Seizures

Niagara/Fort Erie Region

Seizure of US $101,220 in cash at Queenston Bridge

Niagara Falls, Ontario, April 22, 2005 - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported that, on April 20, 2005, CBSA officers at the Queenston Bridge seized $101,220 in undeclared U.S. currency (approximately equivalent to CAN $125,512).

During a secondary examination, CBSA officers found several bundles of undeclared U.S. currency in plastic sandwich bags, hidden in the sidewalls of the bed-liner of a

pick-up truck driven by a 35-year-old male from Waterloo.

Under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act, currency or monetary instruments valued at CAN $10,000 or more must be reported at the border, when brought into or taken out of Canada. These new reporting requirements came into effect on January 6, 2003. Under the Act, currency and monetary instruments of CAN $10,000 or more must be reported, even though there are no restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought into or taken out of Canada. Failure to make a proper report can result in seizure of the money.

Since the beginning of January 2005, CBSA officers of the Niagara - Fort Erie Region have seized CAN $l,318,117 under the Act. In 2004, they seized CAN $4,509,147 and, in 2003, they seized CAN $3,454,285.

The Act requires all seized currency or monetary instruments to be transferred to Public Works and Government Services Canada, Seized Property Management Directorate.

The CBSA cannot reveal the person's name at this time as the individual has the right to appeal the seizure.

More information on the reporting requirements for cross-border movements of currency is available on the CBSA Web site.

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