Activities have not slowed down at all for the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) as evidenced by the number of issues the officers had to deal with during the month of May alone.
The CBSA officials screen travellers to ensure they are admissible to enter Canada. Persons could be denied entry for previous criminal activity or if they are seeking to live and/or work in Canada without permission or proper documentation.
The following incidents occurred at the border crossing in North Portal or the Estevan Highway port , where indicated.
On May 4, a commercial driver destined for Calgary was refused entry since he admitted to having been convicted of cheque fraud and being charged with home improvement fraud in the past. Background checks revealed that the subject had been charged with several other offences including burglary, theft and failure to appear in the court and has been arrested in six different states in the United States.
A few days later, another commercial driver destined for Saskatoon was refused entry after questioning when he eventually revealed that he had been convicted of theft for stealing from his employer. Further background checks showed he had also been charged for possession of stolen property, conspiracy to possess stolen property and driving while under the influence.
On May 8, a United States citizen appeared at the border seeking entry to perform work in Saskatchewan. That subject also admitted to theft of services and issuing bad cheques and his background check revealed that this was true. In addition to being inadmissible to Canada due to these minor criminal offences, the subject also did not have the required documents to obtain a work permit.
On May 11, a commercial driver with a load destined for Regina admitted to having been convicted of third degree burglary (breaking and entering) and criminal sexual conduct with a minor. That person was also denied entry.
Canada's laws also require travellers to fully declare goods they are bringing into Canada. While most are honest, said Lisa White, communications officer for CBSA, there are still some who attempt to undervalue or smuggle goods in hopes of saving GST taxes.
On May 1 a Saskatchewan resident returning to Canada after a same-day absence, declared he had purchased a vehicle valued at $2,202 yet it was later learned he had actually paid $13,150 for the vehicle. The vehicle was seized, the man was penalized $6,120 and admitted that he had the seller make up a bill-of-sale that did not reflect the true price that had been paid.
In another similar incident, an Alberta resident was found to have an undervalued boat and trailer after he was checked at the border on May 8. The items had been declared with a value of $18,254, but the actual price paid was $34,343. CBSA seized the boat and trailer. After a penalty of $8,931 was paid, the boat was released back to the purchaser who said he was trying to save some money on taxes.
On May 12, a Saskatchewan resident was returning to Canada with four horses valued at $5,600. During the examination, officers noted that one horse had been undervalued by $6,177. The horse had been declared as having a value of $2,141. The horses were seized and a $994 penalty was assessed and paid before the horses were returned. CBSA noted that if the true value had been listed at the start, the GST amount owing would have been less than one-third of the penalty amount, or $308.
On May 14, at North Portal, a Saskatchewan resident was returning to Canada following a six-day absence during which they had purchased a dog for a declared amount of $126. Border officers became suspicious of the value placed on the dog during their examination and it was eventually revealed the actual purchase price had been $1,522. Once again the animal was seized and held pending the payment of a $768 penalty. The payment was made and the dog was released back to the purchaser.
Following an overnight stay in the United States, two Saskatchewan residents were returning home on May 24. They declared several hundred dollars of purchases but a secondary examination of the goods revealed $938 worth of building materials and miscellaneous goods plus four litres of alcohol located within the vehicle that were all undeclared. These undeclared items were seized and a penalty of $242 was imposed and paid before the goods were returned to the subjects with the exception of the alcohol.
Intercepting contraband or prohibited and restricted goods is another duty of CBSA officers and on May 12 a United States resident was found in possession of two switchblade knives as he attempted to enter Canada. These are prohibited weapons and so they were seized with no offer to release them back to the owner who was also assessed a $1,000 penalty against his vehicle.
On May 23. CBSA officers examined the possessions of a man from Michigan who stated he was moving to Alaska. During the examinations officers found an undeclared 9mm handgun as well as 37 over-capacity ammunition magazines.
The man was placed under arrest and since this was deemed to be a significant seizure of undeclared goods, all items were seized with no terms of release, the driver was issued a $1,500 penalty and refused entry into Canada.
On May 20, CBSA officers with the assistance of their detector dog Holly, examined a transport truck from British Columbia. During a secondary examination the officers located 113.5 grams of suspected doda throughout the cab of the truck. Doda is an opiate derivative and a prohibited narcotic. The driver was arrested and turned over to members of the Estevan detachment of the RCMP for further processing and further charges are pending.
During the month of May, Holly helped detect several small drug stashes that were seized by CBSA officers. The service uses dogs like Holly to detect the presence of prohibited or regulated substances and to pinpoint their locations. They help protect Canada's health and safety by detecting illegal narcotics, firearms and currency while also helping to protect against harmful pests and diseases by discovering and pointing out illegal plants, fruits, meat and animals.
There are 72 detector dog teams strategically located across Canada that serve both travellers and commercial operations. Holly is the detector dog that is currently assigned to southern Saskatchewan.
In addition the detector dog teams assist other law-enforcement agencies in their execution of search warrants for drugs, firearms and currency.
CBSA officers and detector dogs also conduct demonstrations within schools and community service groups and provide useful information regarding CBSA's role as a law-enforcement agency.
