Prosecutions and Seizures

Northern Ontario Region

Pigeon River port of entry monthly enforcement highlights

Pigeon River, Ontario, December 20, 2011 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) facilitates the entry of legitimate travellers and goods, while protecting the safety and security of Canadians and ensuring that Canada’s borders are not used for illegal activity. This work is carried out by CBSA border services officers (BSO) who ensure that the people, goods and conveyances entering Canada meet all requirements and are compliant with Canadian law.

In November 2011, CBSA officers at Pigeon River processed 38,679 travellers in 18,998 vehicles, as well as 659 commercial drivers.

Highlights

Immigration

In November, CBSA officers at the Pigeon River point of entry conducted 109 immigration examinations. As a result of the examinations, 20 individuals were issued immigration documents while two individuals were refused entry for criminality and other admissibility issues. Two individuals were landed as permanent residents.

Customs

During the month of November, CBSA officers conducted 521 secondary examinations for customs purposes, initiating 10 seizure actions for various offences, and issued an additional 25 written warnings for undeclared or improperly reported goods.

On November 2, officers referred two Canadian residents for further examination to verify the travellers’ declarations. The travellers declared that they had been absent from Canada for one day and had made $10 in purchases. During the subsequent search, officers found that the travellers were in possession of an undeclared antique flintlock rifle, valued at $1,102.26. The travellers also failed to declare an additional $287.86 worth of goods. The antique rifle and other goods were released back to the travellers upon payment of the penalty of $361.93. Had they declared the goods properly, they would have paid $180.72 instead.

On November 4, a vehicle entering Canada attempted to run the border without reporting to officers. The vehicle was stopped and referred for further examination. The four Quebec residents stated that they were destined for Whistler, B.C., but had lost their way. During the examination officers found two of the travellers in possession of 13.6 grams of marijuana. Both the drugs and the vehicle were seized for the offence and the vehicle was returned to the travellers upon payment of the penalty of $220.

On November 15, two returning Canadian residents declared a 48-hour absence from Canada and $515 US in purchases. The travellers were referred for secondary examination to verify their declarations. Officers determined that the occupants failed to declare a set of new tires for their vehicle. The travellers had ordered and installed the new tires and disposed of the old tires. The travellers were also found in possession of undeclared alcohol and a small amount of marijuana. They were penalized $170.62 for failing to declare the tires. Factoring one individual’s personal exemption, the owner would have only paid $52.87 had he declared the tires properly.

Travel Tips

The CBSA reminds travellers to plan their border crossing to avoid delays for the upcoming holiday season. If you are travelling with gifts, do not wrap them prior to crossing the border in the event that a border services officer needs to inspect the package.

Declare all your purchases regardless of whether exemptions may apply as there may be enforcement actions taken for undervaluing or not declaring purchases. You may be required to pay applicable duties and taxes on purchases over your personal exemptions or where no personal exemptions apply. 

Please refer to the I Declare brochure on the CBSA Web site for more information.

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For media information
Caroline Desjarlais
Communications
Canada Border Services Agency
613-991-1591