The winter wasn’t discouraging travel into Canada from Saskatchewan’s land ports, but for a number of travellers, entry would prove much more difficult than the weather.
A report from the Canada Border Services Agency said throughout February, officers in southern Saskatchewan made several seizures of prohibited weapons and devices.
On Feb. 5 and Feb. 22, officers at North Portal seized one switchblade each from two U.S. men seeking entry into Canada.
On Feb. 8, North Portal officers seized brass knuckles from a 30-year-old Georgia man moving to Alaska. The prohibited weapon was seized with no terms of release, and a penalty of $500 was issued. The man paid the penalty and was allowed to continue north into Canada.
On Feb. 16, officers at Regway seized a non-reported overcapacity magazine from a 60-year-old U.S. man.
On Feb. 28, officers at North Portal seized two overcapacity magazines from a Florida man en route to Alaska.
Southern Saskatchewan officers also refused entry into Canada to individuals with previous criminality throughout the month.
At the port of Estevan, officers refused entry to a 50-year-old U.S. man on Feb. 7 for previous criminality including shoplifting, cultivation of marijuana, disturbing the peace and battery.
On Feb. 10, Oungre officers refused entry to a 64-year-old U.S. male with previous convictions of driving under the influence (DUI), child abuse and resisting arrest.
On Feb. 13 at the port of Regway, a 48-year-old male was refused entry into Canada as officers found two IDs from Utah and Montana – revealing criminal convictions in both states including carrying a concealed weapon and DUI.
On Feb. 19 at North Portal, a 31-year-old male from Georgia said he was seeking entry to visit friends for two weeks; however, the exam revealed he was not planning on leaving Canada. He admitted to officers that he was moving to Canada and was going to seek work in Alberta.
Officers at Torquay refused entry to a man on Feb. 22 due to a previous conviction of vehicular manslaughter causing two fatalities due to driving while impaired.
On Feb. 28, officers seized $92,483 in U.S. currency from a 36-year-old U.S. man at the port of Regway. The man did not make a currency declaration while in the primary inspection lane, and only after questioning did he fully declare and present the currency. After officers concluded the money was being used for legitimate purposes, a penalty of $2,500 was issued for failing to report the currency and for making false statements in regards to its ownership. The money was returned upon payment of the penalty.
Quick stats:
• 35,789 travellers in 23,985 vehicles were cleared
• 12,389 commercial trucks were cleared in southern Saskatchewan
North Portal
• 17,727 travellers in 4,221 vehicles were cleared, as well as 8,869 commercial trucks
• Officers completed 130 permanent resident landings, and issued 31 work permits, and two study permits
• Officers refused entry to 25 foreign nationals for criminality or other reasons.
Estevan Highway
• 3,248 travellers in 1,861 vehicles were cleared, as well as 267 commercial
