It's never a dull moment for officers at the Canadian Border Services Agency. especially with major border crossings seeing increased traffic this year.
Luke Reimer, a communications officer with the CBSA, shares the significant seizure that they've seen so far this year.
"On January 2, officers at North Portal examined a moving van and uncovered a restricted semi-automatic rifle and .45-calibre handgun that had not been declared. An Alaska-bound traveller was arrested and issued a $2,000 penalty before returning to the United States."
"On January 19, officers at North Portal opened a package that a traveller was bringing to Canada and found three overcapacity firearm magazines. She was issued a $500 penalty for failing to declare."
"On February 17, officers at North Portal seized seven grams of suspected cocaine from a returning Alberta man. He was issued a $2,800 penalty."
"On February 28 at North Portal, a returning B.C. woman declared she had purchased a horse trailer for US$13,500. Through further examination, officers determined she had actually paid US$20,000. Because she had not been truthful and presented a false bill of sale, the traveller was issued a penalty of approximately CAN$4,550. Had she made an accurate declaration, she would have paid approximately CAN$1,250 in GST."
Reimer also adds that traffic volumes have increased at both the North Portal and Estevan Highway border crossings.
Traffic volumes at North Portal, Saskatchewan
Travellers |
Cars |
Commercial Trucks |
||||
Jan. |
Feb. |
Jan. |
Feb. |
Jan. |
Feb. |
|
2018 |
18,547 |
18,202 |
3,786 |
4,137 |
9,352 |
8,477 |
2017 |
16,284 |
17,538 |
3,709 |
3,484 |
10,151 |
8,756 |
2016 |
17,063 |
16,038 |
3,944 |
3,540 |
8,046 |
7,470 |
Traffic volumes at Estevan Highway, Saskatchewan
Travellers |
Cars |
Commercial Trucks |
||||
Jan. |
Feb. |
Jan. |
Feb. |
Jan. |
Feb. |
|
2018 |
3,359 |
3,151 |
1,909 |
1,666 |
259 |
264 |
2017 |
2,964 |
3,330 |
1,713 |
1,747 |
137 |
176 |
2016 |
3,622 |
3,117 |
2,054 |
1,705 |
147 |
112 |