Prosecutions and Seizures

Northern Ontario Region

Fort Frances port of entry monthly enforcement highlights

Fort Frances, Ontario, May 6, 2013 — 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 border is not used for illegal activity. This work is carried out by CBSA border services officers (BSOs) who ensure that the people, goods and conveyances entering Canada meet all requirements and are compliant with Canadian law.

During the first quarter of 2013, CBSA officers at the Fort Frances port of entry (POE) processed 155,569 travellers in 90,315 vehicles, which represents a 2.4 percent decrease in travellers and a 3.4 percent increase in vehicles compared to the first quarter of 2012. In addition, 45 charter buses carrying 943 passengers, 1,701 commercial trucks, and 1,443 pedestrians were processed during this quarter.

Immigration Highlights

Officers at the Fort Frances POE conducted more than 1,400 immigration interviews resulting in the issuance of 24 work permits, 17 visitor records and 218 Remote Area Border Crossing permits. Forty-seven people were found to have various admissibility issues, of which 38 were given the option of voluntarily withdrawing their application to enter Canada. The other nine were allowed entry on a temporary visitor permit.

On the night of January 15, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) notified officers at the Fort Frances POE that they found a U.S. resident walking across Rainy Lake in Fort Frances. The individual was stumbling across the ice, was intoxicated and was not dressed for the frigid temperatures. He did not realize that he had crossed into Canada. He was held by the OPP overnight and then turned over to the custody of the CBSA as he had failed to present himself at a POE upon arrival in Canada as required by the Customs Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Background checks revealed he had several convictions and was inadmissible to Canada. After withdrawing his application, he was escorted back to the United States. This is just one example of how the CBSA works closely with its law enforcement partners to identify, detect, apprehend, detain, and remove individuals who do not have the authority to be in Canada.

On March 16, two foreign nationals arrived at the POE seeking entry for the day. They were not in possession of valid Canadian visas and were therefore allowed to withdraw their application to enter Canada. Both individuals returned to the United States.

On March 19, a U.S. resident arrived at the POE seeking entry to Canada and was referred for a secondary examination. During the examination, officers discovered that the individual had a previous conviction for larceny, had just $3 on his person and no credit cards or other means of supporting himself. The examining officers were not satisfied that the individual would leave the country if granted entry so he was given the option of withdrawing his application to enter Canada as he was deemed a non-bona fide visitor and inadmissible for criminality. He returned to the United States.

Customs Highlights

During the first quarter of 2013, CBSA officers conducted over 1,100 secondary examinations for customs purposes, initiated nine seizure actions and issued an additional 17 written warnings for non-declared or undervalued goods.

On January 30, a U.S. resident arrived at the POE and was referred for a secondary examination. During the examination of the individual's vehicle, officers discovered an undeclared 12-gauge shotgun and subsequently seized it. The firearm was deemed to be non-restricted and was returned to the individual upon payment of a penalty of $233.09. Once the terms of release were paid, the individual immediately exported the firearm and returned to the United States.

On March 20, a returning Canadian resident arrived at the POE and was found to be the subject of an outstanding warrant. The individual was arrested and turned over to the custody of the OPP.

On March 26, a U.S. resident arriving at the POE was referred for a secondary examination. During the examination of the individual's vehicle, officers discovered an undeclared prohibited revolver. The individual was arrested for smuggling a prohibited firearm into Canada, and the firearm and vehicle were seized. The firearm was held with no terms of release, and the vehicle was held pending payment of a $1,000 penalty. The CBSA also laid criminal charges for smuggling. The individual appeared in court the following day and was released on bond.

Travel Tips

The CBSA reminds all travellers to truthfully declare all purchases when returning to Canada and to be mindful of the following: after an absence of 24 hours, you may bring back $200 worth of goods duty- and tax-free; after 48 hours, your personal exemption is $800. There are no personal exemptions for same-day purchases.

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

All firearms and weapons must be declared to a border services officer when you enter Canada. Failure to do so could result in them being seized, and you may face criminal charges.

Certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility may be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only fee-exempt temporary resident permit. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.

-30-

For media information
Caroline Desjarlais
CBSA Communications
613-991-1591

Follow us on Twitter (@CanBorder), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.