Prosecutions and Seizures

Greater Toronto Region

Seizure of over $249,000 at Pearson International Airport

Mississauga, Ontario, May 18, 2005 - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reported that CBSA officers at Pearson International Airport seized over $249,000 in undeclared currency.

On the evening of May 10, 2005, on a flight from Jamaica, two female travelling companions declared to the CBSA officers that they were each carrying approximately $15, 000 Canadian dollars. The two females were sent for a secondary examination for currency documentation. While conducting the examination, CBSA officers found over $249,000 in various denominations hidden amongst their goods and strapped to their bodies.

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 Greater Toronto Area have seized over CAN $5,890,000 under the Act.

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

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