A handgun and brass knuckles surfaced from a vehicle following an examination by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials at the Estevan Highway border crossing on Feb. 1.
That was the start of a rather busy month of checks, rechecks and evaluations carried out by CBSA agents during the shortest month of the year.
Both weapons were seized by CBSA from a Wyoming resident who was seeking entry into Canada that day. His vehicle was also seized. The traveller was then arrested by CBSA agents and later turned over to members of the Estevan detachment of the RCMP for further processing. A penalty of $1,500 was assessed before the traveller's vehicle was returned to him and he was refused entry into Canada.
On Feb. 2, a Saskatchewan man importing a dump truck he had purchased in Iowa for $12,000 was returning to Canada and was subjected to a secondary examination by CBSA officers who noted the truck had been painted after purchase and the value of the modifications valued at US$7,000 had not been included in the declaration. The man was issued a penalty of $3,850 for not making a proper declaration. Had he done it correctly, the additional cost would have been about $350 in GST.
On Feb. 4, a commercial driver from Illinois was arrested by CBSA officials after he was discovered trying to smuggle a .357 calibre revolver into Canada. He was penalized $1,000 and denied entry into Canada.
On Feb. 9, a man from Minnesota stated at the border that he was coming to work in central Saskatchewan. CBSA officers performed a cursory background check and discovered the man had registered two impaired driving convictions and also had an outstanding sexual assault and theft charges pending against him. He was refused entry and turned over to U.S. officials for further action.
A husband and wife from Florida arrived at the border crossing Feb. 10 stating they were coming to work in Canada. Both were refused entry since background checks revealed the woman had been convicted of fraud while the husband lacked proper documentation to prove that criminal charges against him had been dropped. The couple returned three days later with supporting documents for the husband, yet CBSA officers explained again that his wife was still being refused entry into Canada. CBSA officers then counselled the couple regarding the appropriate steps they needed to take that would enable them to enter Canada legally. The couple then returned to the United States.
A North Dakota man entering Saskatchewan on Feb. 13 was refused entry since he had outstanding charges filed against him related to the operation of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory and for possession of methamphetamine. He was turned over to U.S. officials.
On Feb. 14, a North Carolina commercial truck driver was refused entry into Canada due to numerous convictions for possession of property obtained by crime, possession of cocaine, parole violation, assault and drug trafficking. CBSA officers at the North Portal Port noted the man had unsuccessfully attempted entry in Alberta a few days prior to his arrival at the Saskatchewan port. He returned to the United States.
On Feb. 16 at the Estevan Highway Port, two North Dakota men attempting to go to Estevan for the day were stopped by CBSA officers when it was learned they both had lengthy criminal records including: possession of a firearm by felony, impaired driving, possession of marijuana, burglary of a motor vehicle, illegal use of a credit card, carrying a handgun without a permit, carrying a handgun with a prior felony and smuggling marijuana hashish hash oil.
That same day, a Saskatchewan resident was returning home with two puppies from Minnesota in his possession. CBSA officers were suspicious of the declared value and a routine check revealed the dogs had been purchased for US$1,800 each. The man was penalized $524 for making an improper declaration. If the proper value had been declared, the additional payment would have been $180 in GST.
A Saskatchewan resident returning to Canada on Feb. 19 was hauling a stock car he claimed had originated in Canada. CBSA officers revealed however, that the stock car was of American origin and had been purchased in Wisconsin for US$3,500. The man was penalized $2,115 for the false declaration. Had he done it properly, the bill would have been $176.
A mother and daughter team from Maine arrived at the border on Feb. 21 telling CBSA officers they would simply be visiting in Saskatchewan for a few weeks, but during a routine interview the pair admitted to lying to the officers regarding their true intentions. The two women said they had actually intended to work illegally in Canada. Both were refused entry due to their intent to work without proper authorization and are now barred from returning to Canada for one year.
