Failing to declare the proper value of their items proved costly for a number of people attempting to enter Canada in January.
The Canada Border Services Agency report for the first month of 2014 noted that 19,200 travellers were processed at the North Portal port of entry.
Officers refused entry to 43 people, including 27 for previous criminal records. They issued 67 work permits, 10 study permits and granted permanent resident status to 160 people. There were also 14 seizure actions that resulted in almost $22,000 in penalties for travellers who either undervalued or did not declare their goods.
Among the highlights was a case on Jan. 2 when a man attempted to finalize his permanent residency under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program.
While he was being questioned, the man became evasive, which prompted officers to conduct background checks. They discovered the man in question had not worked for his sponsored employer since December 2012. Because of that, officers seized the permanent residency application documents and referred the matter to the nominee program.
On January 10, a traveller failed to declare more than $14,000 in U.S. currency. He paid a $250 penalty and the cash was returned.
Two men with extensive criminal backgrounds were denied entry on Jan. 12.
In one of the cases, a 65-year-old commercial driver was found to have convictions for obstruction of justice, theft, strong-arm robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, theft of vehicle and perjury.
In the other case, a man had convictions for driving under the influence (DUI), cheque fraud, theft, federal bank theft, bigamy, theft of trade secrets and impersonation. Both were returned to the U.S.
Along with rejecting some travellers, CBSA officers also had some big-ticket seizures in January.
Coincidentally, their three largest seizures all occurred on Jan. 16.
In the first case, officers were told that a shipment of auto parts was worth $16,000. After further examination, they learned the parts were actually worth $40,200. The importer's indiscretion led to a fine of $12,400. Had he claimed the true value, he would have paid just $2,000 in GST.
The second case involved a motorcycle that was being delivered to Estevan for an out-of-province buyer. The driver declared a US$980 delivery fee and US$1,000 for the bike. Officers later learned the motorcycle was sold and that the driver didn't provide the bill of sale because he was told by the buyer that any money saved at the border would be his.
Officers issued a $917 penalty to the driver, who would have otherwise paid $208 in GST.
In case three, officers received a $10,500 declaration for a fridge and stove. However, the appliances were worth double that amount, more than $21,600. Officers issued a penalty for $5,600. If the importer had been truthful in his declaration, he would have paid only $1,080 in GST.
On Jan. 21, a 48-year-old Missouri truck driver was travelling to Alberta to deliver a load. The driver had a conviction of theft under $100,000 and was refused entry and returned to the U.S.
Roughly three hours later he decided to make a second attempt, this time while wearing different clothes. Remarkably, officers were not fooled and the driver was refused entry
One day later, a different commercial driver was refused entry when a check found that he had two convictions for impaired driving and another for theft under $5,000. He also had several outstanding charges and was subsequently returned to the U.S.
On Jan. 27, a 60-year-old United States resident was travelling to Canada. He told CBSA officers he had a previous conviction for drug trafficking in the U.S. Officers also determined that he had been charged with cocaine possession and the intent to distribute. The man voluntarily returned to the United States.
A 36-year-old American man made an attempt to enter the country on Jan. 28 and was up front with officers about his lengthy criminal record, which included three drunk-driving convictions and three theft convictions. He was also convicted of domestic assault and told officers he is expected back in court to face another theft charge. Officers advised him of his inadmissibility and the man voluntarily returned to the United States.
There was also plenty of activity at the Estevan Highway port where officers processed 2,360 cars, 173 trucks and almost 4,170 travellers.
Among the highlights was a case on Jan. 8 when a 43-year-old Colorado woman was refused entry for numerous convictions, including vehicle theft, forgery, and fraud. She returned to the U.S.
A 64-year-old man travelling to Estevan was turned around due to two previous convictions for impaired driving and two convictions for possession of narcotics.
Also, a 43-year-old North Dakota man was refused entry on Jan. 21 because he had convictions for assault and DUI. He returned to the U.S.
At the Northgate crossing, on Jan. 21, a North Dakota man was travelling to Saskatchewan. He had convictions for resisting a police officer and criminal trespass and was refused entry.
On Jan. 11 at the Oungre crossing, a Saskatchewan man told officers he didn't realize his declaration had to include items that were on the truck, which was why he didn't claim $2,000 in new tires he had installed in North Dakota. He received a $500 penalty for his error. If he had declared everything he bought, he would have paid $100 in GST.
On Jan. 12, a 24-year-old man told officers he was visiting family in Regina for 30 days. He also happened to be travelling with his work boots and hardhat, which led officers to believe he was coming to the country to work. Because he did not have the appropriate paperwork he was denied entry.
