There were a number of highlighted incidents at the international border crossings at North Portal and the Estevan Highway ports during October according to information released by the Canadian Border Services Agency this past week.
Some of the activity centred around ineligibility due to past criminal activities and convictions that prevented people from entering Canada from the United States.
On Oct. 2, a Minnesota couple coming into Saskatchewan to hunt elk discovered that the man was being refused entry due to a criminal history that included impaired driving, theft and possession of stolen property along with several other outstanding charges.
The same couple attempted to gain entry again the next day and the man was again refused entry and advised not to attempt it again until the criminal charges were disposed of. The couple then returned to the United States.
The next day, a North Dakota resident was refused entry since he had recorded more than 20 charges of driving while under the influence plus one grand larceny conviction.
Another North Dakota resident applied for a work permit at North Portal on Oct. 15, but CBSA officers determined he was ineligible since he had several convictions on his record including impaired driving, assault, domestic assault and theft. He also returned to the United States.
A commercial carrier from North Carolina was issued an $8,000 penalty for failing to report a shipment of chemicals he was carrying destined for Calgary on Oct. 18. This particular carrier had a record of failing to report previous shipments.
On Oct. 20, a commercial carrier from Alabama was entering Canada with the intention of delivering a load of goods in Alberta. This man had been convicted of theft and property damage and had numerous outstanding charges pending against him so he too, was refused entry into Canada. He attempted to enter again two days later and again was rebuffed.
A Saskatchewan resident returning to Canada on Oct. 28 arrived at the North Portal Port with a boat that was declared as having a value of US$7,000. CBSA officers determined through checking that he had actually paid US$9,500. The boat was seized and a penalty of $1,373.63 plus $124.88 in provincial sales tax was assessed and paid before he was able to reclaim the vessel. If he had declared it properly, he would have paid $300 in total. The traveller stated in retrospect that he deserved the penalty for being deceitful to CBSA officials.
The next day, two Michigan residents travelling to Alaska were refused entry into Canada after CBSA officers seized 8.6 grams of what was suspected to be morphine concealed in their vehicle. The two paid a penalty of $1,000 and both returned to the U.S.
An Alaska-bound traveller arrived at the North Portal crossing on Oct. 31. During primary questioning, CBSA officers noted that the subject appeared to be in great distress and it became obvious that this had not been a planned trip.
Further examination and subsequent background checks revealed to officers that the man had recently been admitted to a mental health facility and could pose a threat to himself. He was denied entry for health-related reasons and he returned to the U.S. where he could obtain treatment.
The Estevan Highway Port also saw a good share of activity during the month of October.
It was reported that on Oct. 21, a California resident who had been convicted of assault with a firearm, which was used in relation to an attempted murder, was denied entry into Canada by the Estevan Highway officials.
On Halloween night, two residents from Georgia appeared at the Estevan Highway Port claiming they wanted to do some sightseeing in Canada for a few hours.
During a secondary examination of their vehicle, officers located a box partially filled with ammunition for a 9mm handgun that was located in the front seat area of the car. As the examination went on, officers located a loaded 9mm handgun under the rear seat of the vehicle. The firearm and ammunition were seized and the man who admitted ownership was arrested and turned over to members of the Estevan detachment of the RCMP. Both subjects were subsequently denied entry into Canada and returned to the U.S.
That same day two North Dakota residents sought entry into Canada with the intention of driving to Estevan. During a vehicle examination, an undeclared firearm was located. The driver admitted to owning the firearm and he was charged accordingly by the Estevan RCMP. It was also noted that the passenger in the vehicle had a criminal record including assault, robbery, theft and possession of marijuana. The pair were refused entry into Canada.
