Prosecutions and Seizures

Southern Ontario Region

Turtles and tortoises seized at Ambassador Bridge

Windsor, Ontario, July 16, 2013 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that a Windsor, Ontario man was intercepted at the Ambassador Bridge attempting to smuggle over 70 live turtles and tortoises into Canada.

On July 6, 2013, a 22-year-old man arrived at the Ambassador Bridge and was referred for a secondary inspection. While examining the vehicle, border services officers (BSOs) discovered two boxes containing live turtles and tortoises hidden within a storage compartment normally used for stowing the vehicle’s seats. BSOs arrested the individual and CBSA investigators attended and charged Xin Hong Tong with non-report, making false statements, attempting to evade payment of duties and taxes and smuggling contrary to the Customs Act. 

Environment Canada was contacted and enforcement officers took custody of the reptiles, and continue to investigate with further charges pending under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.  

“This seizure exemplifies the great work that CBSA border services officers do on a daily basis to protect our borders from various types of smuggling,” said Tamara Allard, Acting District Director, Ambassador Bridge Operations. “The CBSA administers over 90 pieces of legislation that includes those on behalf of other Government departments and agencies that govern the admissibility of people and goods into and out of Canada, including plants and animals.”

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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For media information

Canada Border Services Agency
Southern Ontario Region
905-354-2293 or 519-967-4330

CBSA-ASFC_SouthernOntarioRegionNews@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

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