News Release

Atlantic Region

Fortune resident fined for importation of prohibited goods

Fortune, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), June 7, 2013 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced today that on May 29, 2013, Fortune, NL resident Glen Hepditch was fined $2,200 in Grand Bank, NL Provincial Court on three counts of keeping, acquiring and disposing of goods illegally imported into Canada.

A joint criminal investigation by the CBSA and the RCMP in NL led to Hepditch pleading guilty to charges under the Customs Act, the Revenue Administration Act and the Criminal Code. In addition to the court fine, Hepditch received a six-month conditional sentence which includes house arrest to be followed by 12-month probation, prohibition to possess firearms for 10 years, forfeiture of all goods and a $950 fine for non-duty paid alcohol.

"Stun guns, brass knuckles and pepper spray are dangerous prohibited weapons, and as a result of the hard work by CBSA and RCMP officers and investigators, we've prevented them from making it onto Newfoundland and Labrador streets," said Andrew LeFrank, Regional Director General for CBSA Atlantic. "The CBSA continues to work alongside partners like the RCMP to ensure that we stop illegal smuggling activities in Atlantic Canada."

The CBSA takes its border protection responsibilities very seriously and has strict procedures regarding the importation and interdiction of weapons and firearms. When border services officers find undeclared weapons and firearms, stun guns or brass knuckles, they are seized under authority of the Customs Act.

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

-30-

For media information

Atlantic Region:
Media Line
902-426-0900

RCMP, NL
Carla Humes
1-709-277-1135

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