There were a number of highlighted incidents occurring at the international border port of entry at North Portal in the last month of 2012 according to information released recently by Canada Border Services Agency.
On the second day of December, a Saskatchewan resident attempting to import an older snowmobile into Canada after purchasing it in Wisconsin, stated that the sale price had been US$2,250. During a secondary examination, it was determined the actual purchase price had been $4,500. The snowmobile was seized and the importer was assessed a $1,229.09 penalty for the return of the vehicle. The under evaluation cost the importer more than $1,100 since a correct evaluation would have resulted in a payment of a mere $111.85 in GST.
On Dec. 5, an Arkansas resident arrived at the North Portal port stating he was coming into Canada in search of work. He had previous criminal convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol, possession of methamphetamines, unlawful use of a weapon, and battery. He was refused entry.
A Pennsylvania resident attempting to enter Canada on Dec. 12 stated he was en route to Alaska.
During the examination, it was found that the man had been convicted for driving under the influence, harassment, assault, possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking and probation violation.
The man was refused entry into Canada and was given advice on alternate ways to get to Alaska without passing through Canada.
On Dec. 14, another Pennsylvania resident stated he was coming into Canada for three months. He said he had no place of residence in the United States, was currently unemployed and would like to work in Canada.
It was noted the man had convictions for driving under the influence and contrary to his claim, he had not completed a required rehabilitation program. He was refused entry due to his convictions and for being a non-genuine visitor.
Two residents of North Dakota sought entry into Canada on Dec. 15 with the intention of driving to Regina for the evening. One person was found to have been convicted of robbery and had four subsequent probation violations related to that offence. The other traveller had recently been convicted of resisting arrest and he had also been charged for carrying a concealed weapon and a loaded firearm. Both were denied entry and Regina was denied the opportunity to entertain them for an evening.
On Dec. 18, North Portal border services officers examined a commercial shipment and determined that $27,960 worth of light towers contained in the load had not been declared. A $2,000 administrative monetary penalty was imposed on the importer.
A foreign national residing in the United States arrived at the North Portal port on Dec. 23 where she intended to make a refugee claim.
A background check revealed she had already made a refugee claim, which had been denied, and she had previously been deported from Canada.
As a result of this finding, she was issued another deportation order and returned to the United States since she was unable to make another refugee claim due to the refusal on the previous claim and she did not have permission from the Minister of Immigration to return to Canada after her previous removal.
On the last day of 2012, a commercial driver from Wisconsin sought to enter Canada to deliver goods, but examination of the truck by officers revealed an undeclared container of pepper spray which is prohibited in Canada. The pepper spray was seized and the man was issued a $500 penalty. Following the payment of the fine, the man was allowed entry into Canada to deliver the goods in the truck.
On a final note, CBSA has announced they have introduced an e-mail border alert service to notify clients when unexpected events cause a significant disruption to normal border services at any one of their busiest border ports of entry in Saskatchewan, which would include the port of North Portal.
Examples of significant service disruptions that would generate an alert would include any event that may cause border closures or delays, events causing significant impact to transportation modes, natural disasters such as floods, significant storms etc.; use of force incidents or deployment of weapons and firearms which would result in restricted access or closures of the port or occupational health and safety issues and facility evacuation orders.
Those requiring the services of the CBSA e-mail border alert service are asked to visit their website at www.cbsa.gc.ca and follow the links to Border Alert Service.
