THUNDER BAY – In April 2014, CBSA officers at the Pigeon River port of entry (POE) processed 37,436 travellers in 19,498 vehicles, which represents a two-percent decrease in travelers and a three-percent decrease in vehicles from April 2013. There were more than 1,799 international travelers by bus.
That drop in numbers did not result in a slow month however for Border Security Officers.
Immigration highlights
In April, officers at the Pigeon River POE conducted more than 184 immigration interviews, resulting in one Visitor Record, 13 Work Permits and four Temporary Resident Permits. In addition, eight individuals decided to voluntarily withdraw their applications to enter Canada.
On April 10, a U.S. resident arrived at the Pigeon River POE seeking entry into Canada.
CBSA officers conducted a criminal records check and discovered that the individual had convictions for Assault in the Fifth Degree and Driving while Impaired in the state of Minnesota. He was deemed inadmissible to Canada due to his criminality and was given the option to voluntarily withdraw his application to enter Canada. He returned to the United States.
On April 23, a male U.S. resident attempted, for the second time, to enter Canada to work in Thunder Bay. He was referred for an immigration interview. It was determined that the first time he entered at the Pigeon River POE for employment, he was refused as he did not have the appropriate documents.
During this second attempt, he was again refused entry and given a direction to return to the United States, as he did not possess any documentation regarding the nature of the work he would be performing in Canada, including a Labour Market Opinion. He returned to the United States.
Certain foreign nationals who do not meet the requirements to overcome their criminal inadmissibility may be allowed to enter Canada with a one-time only fee-exempt temporary resident permit. For more information, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site.
Customs highlights
In April, CBSA officers conducted approximately 3,058 secondary examinations for customs purposes or on behalf of other government departments, initiated four seizure actions, three arrests and issued additional written warnings for undeclared or undervalued goods.
On April 8, two returning Canadian residents in a motor home declared $100 in purchases and two bottles of alcohol, with an absence of four months. The motor home was referred for a secondary examination. During the exam, officers discovered various receipts for many more items purchased. After a thorough search, $6,192.82 worth of undeclared jewellery, $4,003.04 in undeclared miscellaneous goods, 12 litres of alcohol, 11 beers and 14 coolers were discovered. The penalty paid for the undeclared goods was $9,220.25 and the alcohol was seized with no terms of release.
The case has been referred to CBSA Investigations, which may bring criminal charges.
On April 26, two Canadian residents turned around at U.S. Customs and Border Protection and returned to the Pigeon River POE. The vehicle was searched and during the examination, CBSA officers found a large freezer bag containing marijuana and rolling papers. One of the individuals was arrested for attempting to import 190 grams of marijuana, The penalty paid was $880 for the release of the vehicle.The CBSA reminds travellers to truthfully declare all purchases and goods received outside of Canada upon their return. Smuggling, undervaluation and other Customs Act offences may lead to seizure and/or prosecution in a court of law.
