The Canada Border Services Agency says 18 guns were among the weapons seizures over the summer at North Portal.
At least three were purportedly making their way to Alaska via Canada. Some of the weapons included, in addition to guns, pistol crossbows, nunchaku sticks, blow gun, and in one instance an AR-15 pattern semi-automatic and a silencer.
North Portal is one of five Canadian ports of entry for transit to Alaska and U-S residents are only to go through the country for non-discretionary purposes like work or going back to their primary residence.
These are most significant cases dealt with in the summer of 2020:
Seizure #1
On June 30, officers referred for further examination a United States resident in transit to Alaska. They conducted a search and seized:
-a prohibited .45-calibre pistol;
-a prohibited 9mm pistol;
-a .22-calibre rifle;
-a 12 gauge shotgun;
-two prohibited pistol crossbows;
-a prohibited airsoft replica firearm;
-a prohibited stun gun;
-a prohibited switchblade; and,
-a prohibited magazine.
Officers arrested the traveller and seized his vehicle, which was released upon payment of a $4,500 penalty. He forfeited the seized items and returned to the United States.
Seizure #2
Also on June 30, officers referred for further examination a United States resident. They conducted a search and seized:
-a restricted .44-calibre revolver;
-a restricted .22-calibre handgun;
-a .50-calibre muzzleloader rifle;
-two .22-calibre rifles;
-a .17-calibre rifle;
-a .410 shotgun;
-two sets of prohibited nunchaku sticks;
-a prohibited blow gun;
-a prohibited brass knuckles device (bladed); and,
-17 prohibited magazines
The traveller was arrested and forfeited the restricted and prohibited items. The CBSA Criminal Investigation Section has since charged William Terry McBride, 51, on three counts pursuant to the Customs Act and on two counts pursuant to the Criminal Code. The accused was released and a court date is to be determined.
Seizure #3
On July 5, officers referred for further examination a United States resident in transit to Alaska. They conducted a search and seized:
-a restricted 9mm pistol;
-a restricted 10mm pistol;
-a prohibited blowgun and extender;
-five prohibited magazines; and,
-a barrel for a 10mm handgun.
Officers arrested the traveller and seized his vehicle, which was released upon payment of a $3,000 penalty. He forfeited the seized items and returned to the United States.
Seizure #4
On July 21, officers referred for further examination a United States resident in transit to Alaska. They conducted a search, and seized:
-a prohibited, AR-15 pattern semi-automatic rifle;
-three prohibited magazines; and,
-a prohibited silencer (suppressor).
Officers arrested the traveller and seized his vehicle, which was held for payment of a $1,500 penalty. He forfeited the seized items and returned to the United States.
