PIGEON RIVER – On November 17, 2016, officers at the Pigeon River port of entry (POE) seized 19 prohibited brass knuckle knives and 128 undeclared knives from a returning resident who failed to declare them.
The 61-year-old traveller was returning to Canada after a trip to the United States. The officer referred the traveller for a secondary examination. During the examination, officers found boxes of prohibited and undeclared knives in the trunk. Officers subsequently seized the weapons and arrested the traveller.
The traveller paid $301.84 for the release of the undeclared knives. A penalty was applied for the release of his vehicle in the amount of $9,500.
Charges are pending in relation to the prohibited weapons seizure. The traveller has a court appearance scheduled for December 22, 2016.
“CBSA officers are Canada’s first line of defence in protecting Canada from illegal weapons and other contraband. Weapons are high-risk commodities and their interdiction is a CBSA enforcement priority,” says Tuula Schuler, CBSA Northwestern Ontario District Director.
Quick Facts
• Travellers are not permitted to import prohibited weapons or prohibited devices into Canada. This includes items such as pepper spray, mace, brass knuckles, switchblades, stun guns, silencers and replica firearms.
• Anyone importing weapons into Canada must declare them and meet all licensing and registration requirements.
• Failure to declare goods, including weapons, and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law.
• Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.
