A total of 55 firearms were seized at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon border in 2016, according to year-end figures released Thursday by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The figures indicate that more than 1.5 million travellers were processed at the crossing last year in about 800,000 cars and 111,000 commercial trucks.
Border service officers (BSOs) executed 271 seizures – including 163 involving narcotics – and refused entry to foreign nationals on 641 occurrences.
Here are some highlights of the year-end report:
– On April 21, 2016, a suspected explosive device was discovered during a secondary examination of a traveller’s vehicle. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police explosives disposal unit arrived on site and deemed the suspected explosive device safe (inert).
In addition to the inert grenade, BSOs seized prohibited magazines, ammunition, a small artillery round, pepper spray and a bulletproof vest. The traveller was denied entry into Canada and returned to the United States.
– On June 9, two U.S. residents were seeking entry to Canada, en route to Alaska. Inside the travellers’ truck and trailer, BSOs discovered and seized five handguns, eight rifles, two shotguns and multiple prohibited magazines.
After paying a seizure penalty of $8,500, the travellers were permitted to enter Canada. Additionally, the CBSA’s criminal investigations section recommended charges under the Customs Act and the Criminal Code in Abbotsford provincial court against the traveller who took ownership of the firearms.
– On June 22, during a secondary examination of a pickup truck, BSOs discovered a person hiding in the back. The driver was charged with misrepresentation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the hidden passenger was charged with eluding under the IRPA. Both pleaded guilty and received a five-day jail sentence.
In addition to the enforcement highlights, employees at the Abbotsford-Huntingdon port of entry raised more than $19,000 for the Government of Canada Charitable Workplace Campaign.
The funds raised support families in the community, the United Way of the Lower Mainland and many other worthy causes.
