ST.
STEPHEN, NB, April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
is committed to protecting Canadians by intercepting firearms and
prohibited weapons at the border. As a result of a recent
seizure, investigation and search warrant led by the CBSA in the
Atlantic Region, the CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP) have charged two Nova
Scotia residents with multiple firearm and weapon related
offences.
On April 5, 2024, two Canadian
citizens were referred for secondary examination at the St. Stephen
Ferry Point port of entry (POE) in New Brunswick (NB), following an extended stay
in the United States (US).
During the extensive examination, CBSA border services officers
and Detector Dog Services discovered and seized various prohibited
firearms and weapons deeply concealed within the vehicle,
including:
- three 9 millimeter handguns;
- four over-capacity magazines;
- two 10-capacity magazine;
- one conducted energy weapon;
- one pepper spray;
- 2.9 grams of loose cannabis; and
- three THC vape cartridges.
CBSA officers arrested Scott
Livingstone, 63, and Joyce
Livingstone, 61, of Conquerall
Bank, Lunenburg County, Nova
Scotia (NS) for smuggling under the Customs
Act.
The RCMP in St. Stephen, NB
took custody of the travellers and transported them to the
St. George RCMP detachment where
they were held in custody overnight. On April 6, 2024, Scott and
Joyce Livingstone appeared in Saint John Provincial Court
via phone. They were remanded into custody and separately
transferred to the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre and New
Brunswick Women's Correctional Centre in Miramichi.
On April 7, 2024, CBSA criminal
investigators, with assistance from the Nova Scotia RCMP, executed a search warrant at
the Livingstone residence in Conquerall
Bank, NS, and seized a 12-gauge shotgun, a pellet gun, and
various ammunition and electronic devices.
On the same day, Scott and Joyce
Livingstone appeared in Saint John Provincial Court where
they each faced five Customs Act charges laid by CBSA and
another 11 Criminal Code of Canada charges laid by the RCMP.
Customs Act charges include:
- three counts - smuggling;
- one count - making false statements;
- one count - failing to report imported goods in their
possession.
Criminal Code charges include:
- two counts - possession of prohibited firearms
- four counts - carrying a concealed weapon
- two counts - occupants of a motor vehicle knowing at the time
there were firearms
- two counts - unauthorized possession of an unloaded handgun
with readily accessible ammo that is capable of being
discharged
- one count - without lawful authority import into Canada firearms
The accused were released on conditions by the courts.
Proceedings are ongoing and they will appear again in Saint John
Provincial Court on July
5th, 2024.
Quotes
"CBSA front line officers in New
Brunswick are on alert to detect and intercept prohibited
guns and weapons at the land border. Thanks to their recent efforts
in St. Stephen, NB, and the work
of our criminal investigators, we are keeping our communities safe
and ensuring anyone who breaks Canada's laws is held accountable."
Gina Kennedy-McLaughlin,
Director, Traveller Land Border Operations, Atlantic Region, Canada
Border Services Agency
Quick Facts
- CBSA officers and investigators work with law enforcement
partners to help fight gun smuggling and trafficking.
- Bringing cannabis across the border in any form, including oils
containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without
a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious
criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the
legalization of cannabis in Canada.
- For the latest enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border
Services Agency seizures.
- View a list of restricted and prohibited goods, including
firearms.
- Anyone with information about suspicious cross-border activity
is encouraged to call the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at
1-888-502-9060 or submit a tip online.
SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency