Prosecutions and Seizures

Southern Ontario Region

CBSA officers in Southern Ontario seize 45 firearms

Niagara Falls, Ontario, May 27, 2013 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that during the first five months of 2013, CBSA officers in the Southern Ontario Region have seized 45 firearms including 31 prohibited handguns, 11 restricted handguns and 22 high capacity magazines. During the same period in 2012, the CBSA seized 36 firearms in the Southern Ontario Region.

Here are some recent highlights for the Southern Ontario Region:

Ambassador Bridge

On February 19, an examination of a Kentucky woman's passenger vehicle found one restricted handgun in the console of the vehicle.

On February 23, a search of the passenger vehicle of a Kentucky man found one prohibited handgun in the trunk.

On March 22, an Illinois man was selected for secondary examination. BSOs conducted a search of his vehicle where one prohibited handgun and two high capacity magazines were found in a cooler bag.

Windsor-Detroit Tunnel

On March 3, an Ohio man was referred for secondary examination which resulted in the seizure of two prohibited handguns, three high capacity magazines and one taser.

On April 6, a Michigan man was interdicted after failing to stop for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers who were conducting export examinations. CBSA BSOs conducted a secondary examination of the pickup truck and seized one restricted firearm and one high capacity magazine that were located in a bowling bag.

On May 15, an Ontario man arrived and was referred for secondary examination. With the assistance of a CBSA Detector Dog, BSOs found four prohibited handguns and two high capacity magazines in the passenger vehicle.

Blue Water Bridge

On February 22, a Michigan man arrived at the port and was referred for further examination. A search by BSOs resulted in the seizure of one prohibited handgun that was found in his waist holster.

On March 9, a Georgia man was referred for secondary examination. During a search of his pickup truck, BSOs seized one restricted handgun found in a bag on the rear seat of the vehicle.

Peace Bridge

On March 1, a Maine man sought entry to Canada and was referred for secondary examination where BSOs seized one loaded prohibited handgun that was located in the trunk of his passenger vehicle.

On May 4, an Arkansas man was seeking entry and was referred for a secondary examination. BSOs conducted a search of the vehicle and seized one prohibited handgun that was found in a fabric bag in a door compartment.

Rainbow Bridge

On March 9, a North Carolina man was seeking entry to Canada. BSOs conducted an examination of a pickup truck and seized one prohibited handgun found in the centre console of the vehicle.

On March 30, an Indiana man travelling in a motorhome was seeking entry to Canada. An examination of the vehicle by BSOs resulted in the seizure of one prohibited firearm that was located in the bathroom of the motorhome. 

Queenston Bridge

On April 5, a Minnesota man was referred for secondary examination. During an examination of his pickup truck, a BSO discovered and seized one restricted handgun and one replica firearm.

The CBSA places a high priority on the detection and interdiction of undeclared firearms and prohibited weapons. These seizures serve to demonstrate the commitment, dedication, and expertise of our BSOs as they carry out the CBSA's mandate to protect the safety of Canada.

"The CBSA takes its border protection responsibilities very seriously, and our officers work diligently and vigilantly to prevent the smuggling of firearms across our borders to help make our communities safe," said Rick Comerford, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region. "These seizures clearly demonstrate the excellent work our officers are doing to tackle the smuggling of illegal guns at our borders."

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. All calls are completely confidential.

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Media information:

Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
Telephone: 905-354-2011 or 519-967-4330 or 905-933-5463
CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

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