Prosecutions and Seizures

Southern Ontario Region

CBSA Seizes Liquor, Firearms and Marihuana

Fort Erie, Ontario, July 19, 2012 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized 97 bottles of liquor, four firearms, 103 grams of marihuana and 40 dozen eggs in two recent enforcement actions at border crossings in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie.

On July 5, 2012 at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario, three U.S. residents travelling in a motorhome were referred for a secondary examination to verify their nil declaration. During the examination, officers located three loaded handguns and a loaded rifle concealed in compartments within the vehicle, and 103 grams of marihuana in the refrigerator freezer. A 63‑year‑old Florida man and 65-year-old Florida woman were charged by the CBSA with attempting to smuggle and making false statements contrary to the Customs Act. The pair were transferred to the custody of Niagara Regional Police and further charges were laid.

On July 9, 2012, two Ontario residents returning to Canada at the Peace Bridge in Fort Erie declared purchases valued at approximately $900 including three bottles of liquor after a two‑night stay in the United States. They were referred to secondary for payment of the duties and taxes on their alcohol overage and for an examination to verify their declaration. Border services officers examining the vehicle discovered 97 bottles of undeclared liquor and 40 dozen eggs concealed in the stow-and-go compartments of the vehicle and among their personal clothing. A 57-year-old North York man and 45-year-old Scarborough woman have been charged by the CBSA with attempting to smuggle, making false statements, and willfully evading payment of duties and taxes contrary to the Customs Act.

“These seizures clearly demonstrate that CBSA officers are vigilant when it comes to ensuring our borders are not used for illegal activities. This includes prosecuting those who contravene the Customs Act,” said Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region.

In 2011, CBSA officers in the Southern Ontario Region seized 128 firearms including 106 handguns, as well as 191 prohibited weapons. During this time period, there were also 703 liquor seizures in the Southern Ontario Region which included 3,327 litres of beer, valued at $8,252; 3,744 litres of spirits, valued at $59,645; and 932 litres of wine, valued at $86,028.

The CBSA reminds all travellers that they are required to declare all goods they are bringing into Canada, including any firearms and weapons in their possession. Failure to declare goods (including firearms) and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law. For information about your rights and obligations regarding the importation of firearms and other weapons into Canada, visit the CBSA Web site.

Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

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For media information

Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
Telephone: 905-354-2011 or 519-967-4330
CBSANewsSOR@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

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