THUNDER BAY – Canada Border Security THUNDER BAY – Canada Border Services Agency officers were in hardcore action last week. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that officers at the Pigeon River and Fort Frances ports of entry (POE) seized four loaded handguns, two canisters of pepper spray, a .38 semi-automatic and a loaded .38 revolver in three separate seizure actions last week.
On August 12, John Harold Hargreaves of Crystal River, Florida, was travelling to Canada in a motorhome via the Pigeon River POE. He was referred for a secondary examination where officers discovered a loaded handgun in the bedroom of the motorhome. Two more loaded handguns were found in the bathroom, and a fourth loaded handgun and two canisters of pepper spray were found under the driver’s seat of a vehicle being towed behind the motorhome.
As a result, CBSA officers charged Hargreaves with failing to report, willful evasion, possession of prohibited goods and smuggling under the Customs Act, and with carrying a concealed weapon under the Criminal Code. Hargreaves pled guilty on August 16, 2013 to the failing to report charge under section 12(1) of theCustoms Act and to the carrying a concealed weapon charge under section 90(1) of the Criminal Code. He received four days of prison for time served and a $4,000 fine.
On August 14, Zachary Kennedy Williams, of Culver, Oregon, sought entry to Canada at the Pigeon River POE. He was referred for a secondary examination where officers discovered gun parts for a .38 semi-automatic dispersed throughout the vehicle. The gun had been disassembled and hidden throughout the vehicle.
The CBSA has charged Williams with failing to report, willful evasion, possession of prohibited goods and smuggling under the Customs Act. He was released on bail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Thunder Bay on September 27, 2013.
Also on August 14, Eric Michael Groner of Cleveland, Texas, arrived at the Fort Frances POE and was referred for a secondary examination. During the examination, officers found a loaded .38 revolver in a holster in the vehicle. Officers arrested Groner and charged him with failing to report, willful evasion, possession of prohibited goods and smuggling under the Customs Act. He was released on bail and his next court appearance is scheduled in Fort Frances on August 26, 2013.
“The CBSA takes its border protection responsibilities very seriously, including the interdiction of inadmissible weapons and firearms,” said Tuula Schuler, District Director for Northwestern Ontario. “Weapon and firearm seizures like these serve as a reminder of the important role CBSA officers play in keeping our communities safe.”
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