CBSA makes multiple border arrests in July

Handgun, overcapacity magazines, and suspected drugs seized at Coutts on July 12

Canada Border Services Agency - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pleased to share a sample of July highlights from its border crossings in southern Alberta, including the following gun seizures at Coutts:

9mm handgun seized at Coutts on July 1

On July 1, officers seized an undeclared 9mm handgun while conducting a routine vehicle search. The CBSA has since charged Corey Barrick Pence nee Baird, 42, of Nevada, on five counts pursuant to the Customs Act and Criminal Code, including possession of a firearm obtained by commission of offence. He is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on August 24.

On July 12, officers seized an undeclared loaded handgun, two overcapacity magazines, and personal quantities of suspected marijuana and methamphetamine. The CBSA has since charged Eric Anaya, 54, of New Mexico on six counts pursuant to the Criminal Code and Customs Act. He is scheduled to appear in Lethbridge Provincial Court on August 24.

.40-calibre pistol seized at Coutts on July 15

On July 15, officers were examining the bedroom area of a travel trailer and seized an undeclared, restricted .40-calibre pistol, loaded with an overcapacity magazine, from inside a boot on the floor. The driver was arrested and paid a $1,000 penalty before being returned to the United States without the gun for committing an offence upon entry.

.38-calibre handgun seized at Coutts on July 25.

On July 25, officers were processing a Washington man and seized an undeclared .38-calibre handgun from a bag inside his car. The traveller received a $1,000 penalty for failing to declare and was refused entry for previous criminality.

The following incidents also took place at Coutts:

• On July 2, a returning Alberta woman said she was transporting a United States (U.S.) horse and that it would stay in Canada temporarily; however, officers determined she had actually purchased the horse for $26,000, and issued her a $6,500 penalty. Had she been truthful, she would have paid $1,300 in goods and services tax.
• On July 10, officers arrested two female travellers from Colorado after finding the following suspected drugs in their vehicle: 45 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) spray, 10 mg of THC drink, 0.2 grams of hashish oil, 30 mg of THC lotion, and six grams of marijuana. They paid a total $550 penalty and were refused entry to Canada for committing an offence upon entry.
• On July 13, officers intercepted an Alberta man with outstanding warrants for assault, failure to appear, and uttering threats. He was arrested and turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The CBSA enforces Canada’s immigration laws and protects Canadians by screening for serious criminals and illegal workers, as in the following examples:

• On July 3 at the Carway border crossing, officers refused entry to a U.S. man who was planning to work in Canada without a permit. He tried crossing again that same day, this time at Chief Mountain, and was turned away once more.
• On July 15 at the Del Bonita border crossing, officers refused entry to a U.S. man previously convicted of smuggling a firearm at Coutts.
• On July 27, officers at Carway refused entry to a U.S. registered sex offender with multiple convictions of lewd or lascivious act with a child under age 14.

Quick Facts

• Officers at Coutts, Alberta’s busiest border crossing, refused entry to 80 foreign nationals for various reasons, including criminality.
• At Carway, which processes the second-highest traffic volumes, officers refused entry to 54 foreign nationals.
• Coutts welcomed 378 new permanent residents, while 165 entered Canada at Carway.
• CBSA officers in southern Alberta process an average of 95,421 travellers in 38,679 cars and 10,755 commercial trucks every month (based on 2015 statistics).