The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) released the first report of 2015 from Saskatchewan’s port of entries in the southern part of the province.
On January 18, officers at North Portal seized a record 162 magazines from a Kentucky man en route to Alaska. He declared five firearms and 15 magazines, which were overcapacity rifle clips. Upon closer examination, officers noted one of the guns was a restricted assault rifle that wouldn't be allowed to cross the border. When officers began the vehicle search, they found more than what they were looking for: 162 military-grade magazines (including 147 prohibited) valued at over $5,000. The man was issued a $1,000 penalty and returned to the U.S.
In the beginning of January, officers in southern Saskatchewan made several seizures of prohibited weapons and devices.
On January 1, North Portal officers seized a switchblade, a prohibited weapon in Canada. On January 6 and 11, North Portal officers seized one overcapacity magazine each from two U.S. men seeking entry, one travelling to Alaska. As these were all first offences for non-reporting and officers believed them to be unintentional, these men were allowed to continue into Canada minus their weapons and devices.
Southern Saskatchewan officers continued to keep the country safe and secure by refusing entry to individuals with previous criminality, including a 30 year-old male from Oklahoma seeking entry on January 4 at North Portal with two previous convictions for driving under the influence (DUI) and for possession of an explosive device with intent to cause damage. At the port of Oungre, officers refused entry to a 65-year-old U.S. male on January 8 for previous criminality including terroristic threats, stalking and harassing. On January 11, Oungre officers refused entry to a 50-year-old U.S. commercial driver with four offences for burglary, theft and embezzlement. On January 28, Estevan officers refused entry to a 43-year-old U.S. man with multiple convictions including assault, theft and stolen property, and two DUIs.
On January 24, two travellers returning to Canada at North Portal declared two puppies at US$1,500 each. They were referred for secondary examination as there seemed to be inconsistencies in their declaration. Officers confirmed that $1,500 was only the down payment for the dogs and it was determined that the travellers had paid $8,000 for each dog, an undervaluation of more than $16,000. The travellers were issued a total penalty of $8,850 for making a false declaration.
Quick Facts for southern Saskatchewan in January 2015:
Across southern Saskatchewan, 39,005 travellers in 12,588 vehicles were cleared.
There were 13,819 commercial trucks cleared in southern Saskatchewan.
At North Portal, 20,107 travellers in 4,764 vehicles; and 9,916 commercial trucks were cleared.
At Estevan Highway, 3,860 travellers in 2,044 vehicles; and 328 commercial trucks were cleared.
At North Portal, officers completed 63 permanent resident landings, and issued 41 work permits, and 5 study permits.
North Portal, officers refused entry to 44 foreign nationals for criminality or other reasons.
