Walrus skull, turkey talon, bobcat skins and 8 firearms among items 2 Americans tried to bring into Canada: CBSA
A pair of Americans tried to bring a lengthy and somewhat strange list of undeclared items into Canada, border officials say.
In a news release last week, the Canada Border Services Agency outlined a list of items including firearms and animal products, which it says were seized by officers somewhere in its "West Coast and Yukon District."
CBSA would not tell CTV News specifically where in that district the items were seized, including in which province or territory, and while the news release was not issued until July 15, the seizure allegedly took place nearly two months earlier.
It appears the border crossing was on land, based on the seizure of the travellers' vehicle.
According to CBSA, the U.S. residents were "seeking entry to transit through Canada," suggesting they may have been heading to or from Alaska, but officials have not confirmed that detail.
For undisclosed reasons, the men were referred for secondary examination, CBSA said. The agency said it was during this search that eight undeclared firearms were uncovered, one of which was prohibited.
Border officials say they also found 15 prohibited magazines.
Among the more unusual items, CBSA said they found several animal products, many of which are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which falls under federal wildlife trade law.
CBSA said its officers found two ivory tusks, as well as two ivory ornaments, among the Americans' things. It said 13 ivory pucks were also found.
The men had with them three bobcat skins, two sheep horns, one bear paw, one turkey talon and one bear skull, CBSA said.
Additionally, it is alleged they had seven pieces of whale baleen, two seal-skin hats and one walrus skull.
According to the agency, the animal products were seized by Environment and Climate Change Canada, and the traveller who claimed ownership of the goods was given two penalties with a $1,200 fine.
That person, who has been identified only as male, was also issued an $8,500 penalty by CBSA for the release of his vehicle.
He's also been charged with four counts under the Canadian Criminal Code and Customs Act: unauthorized possession of a firearm; unauthorized possession of prohibited devices; making false statements; and smuggling.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
Regulated area for invasive box tree moth expanded to parts of the Maritimes
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has added much of the Maritimes to a regulated area for an invasive species.