Backgrounder
The Atlantic Region is home to over 150 service locations including 18 land ports of entry, 28 commercial marine sites, 26 airports, two ferry terminals and a number of telephone reporting sites. The Region consists of three districts (Southern New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island District; Northwest New Brunswick District; Newfoundland, Labrador and Nova Scotia District) and two divisions (Intelligence and Enforcement Operations; Corporate, Programs and Integration Management).
Keeping our communities safe
On June 10, CBSA officers examined a shipping container at the Port of Halifax in Nova Scotia. As a result of this examination, 54.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine was seized by officers. The CBSA estimates this seizure to be valued at approximately $6.8 million.
In June, following several interceptions and seizures of prohibited weapons through the postal stream in 2020 and 2021, CBSA officers in New Brunswick executed a search warrant where a conductive energy weapon was found. Through an investigation, it was determined that the individual had attempted to import nine switchblades, one push dagger and one conductive energy device through international mail. The individual was arrested and interviewed by CBSA criminal investigators. The matter remains under investigation.
In July, Border Services Officers at the Port of Clair, New Brunswick, referred a traveller for a secondary examination. The referral and subsequent search of the vehicle led to the seizure of an undeclared restricted handgun. The traveller was arrested by CBSA officers and issued a $1,000 penalty.
In August, CBSA officers at the Edmundston, New Brunswick, port of entry seized an undeclared stun gun. Within the same week, officers at the Woodstock, New Brunswick port of entry seized another undeclared stun gun. Stun guns are considered prohibited weapons in Canada and resulted in a $500 penalty for each traveller.
On September 4, at the St. Stephen Third Bridge port of entry in New Brunswick, officers discovered psilocybin mushrooms while searching a camper van. Through a detailed examination, they were able to locate and seize 32.1 grams of psilocybin mushrooms. The individual was arrested and later released with a $1,100 penalty.
On September 10, at the St. Stephen Third Bridge port of entry in New Brunswick, a camper belonging to two United States citizens who were on their way to go camping in Nova Scotia, was sent for a secondary examination. During the examination, officers discovered a prohibited spring-loaded blade and a prohibited handgun. The weapons were seized, a $1,500 penalty was issued and the travellers were denied entry into Canada.
