EDMONTON: Cross-border travellers tried to bring in more than $250,000 in undeclared currency, drugs, child pornography and illegal food products.
Canadian Border Services Agency released its second quarter highlights on its Edmonton operations in airport, commercial and inland operations, which saw 233,259 travellers, 226,801 cargo and courier shipments and 2,271 flights.
In three separate incidents, officers seized 219 weapons including nunchakus, throwing stars and knives. One shipment from Thailand labelled “flashlights” was examined and found to contain stun guns made to look like smart phones.
CBSA officers made 17 drug seizures yeilding 1,796 grams and 3,130 doses of drugs.
Undeclared cash totalling $254,721 was collected during 11 seizures.
In one case officers spoke to a man who said he was travelling with $6,500. They later found he had a $50,000US bank draft and $10,418.95 Canadian, which was undeclared. Because he could not show he got the money legitimately the money was seized under the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act.
In one seizure, Max the detector dog sniffed out dried buffalo meat from India, chicken and beat from Kuwait and milk powder. The traveller had to pay $650 in penalties and the food products were seized.
CBSA officers also made one child pornography seizure.
