SASKATCHEWAN — The Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Prairie Region has released its annual year-end highlights report.
The document, issued Dec. 10, covers the first 10 months of the year. The CBSA said it had 196 illegal narcotic seizures this year, including 0.5 grams of methamphetamines, one gram of cocaine, 30 grams of opioids and 2.57 kilograms of illegal cannabis.
Eight firearms were seized, the agency said, along with 1,053 miscellaneous parts for firearms or magazines, 24 prohibited weapons and 58 prohibited devices.
The CBSA also reported finding $72,028 in currency suspected to be proceeds of crime.
A total of 315 detector dog searches were carried out, the CBSA said, leading to 15 seizures of drugs or firearms.
Two agriculture and agri-food administrative monetary penalties were issued in the region for food, plant and animal import violations, totalling $2,600 in penalties.
The CBSA highlighted three incidents in particular. In April, a U.S. citizen seeking entry at the North Portal border crossing failed to declare firearms during primary questioning. During the secondary examination, the CBSA said its officers discovered and seized a handgun and loaded magazine hidden in the vehicle’s centre console. The traveller was issued a penalty and returned to the U.S.
Then in May, the CBSA said a foreign national seeking entry at North Portal was referred for secondary examination after making a nil declaration. During the vehicle search, CBSA officers found three loaded handgun magazines and a spring. When questioned, the CBSA said the subject admitted to disassembling a handgun with the intent to hide it. The following undeclared items were located during subsequent exam: a handgun, two over-capacity magazines and three cartons of cigarettes. The traveller paid a penalty and returned to the U.S.
Also in May, a commercial vehicle in transit to Alaska was referred for secondary inspection at North Portal. The CBSA said the vehicle left the port without coming into the office as directed, but was later returned to the port by area police. Upon a search, CBSA officers discovered and seized an undeclared loaded handgun hidden in the sleeper bunk of the truck. The driver paid a penalty and returned to the U.S.
In Saskatchewan, the CBSA said it welcomed more than 480,000 travellers, and processed 58 asylum applications, as of Nov. 30. By the same date last year, the agency had processed 28 asylum applications in Saskatchewan.
Border services officers processed approximately 110,015 commercial trucks, and assessed over $991.3 million in duties and taxes, along with over $6.7 billion in value for duty for trusted traders.
The news release states the CBSA serves as Canada’s first line of defence by preventing illegal weapons and illicit substances from entering our communities.
“The CBSA plays a critical role supporting the economy and security of Canada,” the CBSA said in a news release. “We enforce laws at our border to protect Canada and facilitate the flow of travellers and goods to keep our economy strong.
“We intercept illegal drugs, guns and weapons and prevent them from entering or leaving the country. We remove people who should not be in Canada, including those involved in terrorism, organized crime and war crimes.
“We promote Canadian business by administering trade legislation and agreements and collect applicable duties and taxes on imported goods. The CBSA operates from 20 sites across the province of Saskatchewan.”
