The Abbotsford-Huntingdon border crossing was closed for three hours late Thursday evening, after border officers found U.S. military explosives on a vehicle coming from the U.S.
The vehicle was hauling a trailer from a moving company, and in a secondary examination Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) staff found a claymore mine and detonator, five hand grenades, an undeclared handgun and 19 high-capacity magazines.
The explanation from the two American men in the vehicle was that the explosives were inactive, used only for training purposes.
"Border officers weren't able to confirm that in their examination," said Faith St. John, spokesperson for the CBSA Pacific Region.
They called the RCMP explosives disposal team to deal with the potential threat.
"The health and safety of our employees and the public is our priority," said St. John.
The border was closed from approximately 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., until the RCMP was able to confirm that the explosives were indeed no longer active.
The handgun and magazines were seized, and the two men were turned back to the U.S.
St. John was not sure whether the men will face charges.