Latest news with #CBSA
Global News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Global News
B.C. couple asked to pay duties on family heirloom returned to them from U.S.
A B.C. couple says they were stunned to discover they were being asked to pay duties on a family heirloom that was shipped back to them from a friend in Washington state. James Baker-Taylor and Andrea Nelson got married in 2024 after 10 years together. Baker-Taylor's father, Jimmy, had passed away in 2022 but he had given his son his ring that he could use for a wedding ring. 'He didn't have a lot of things to leave me so, the ring… He gave that to me maybe 20 years ago,' Baker-Taylor told Global News. 'So, that's why we had decided to use that ring and then one of his other rings.' When the couple was visiting family in Washington state, Baker-Taylor took off the ring to have a shower and forgot to put it back on. Story continues below advertisement They arranged to have it insured for $500 and shipped back to their Nanaimo home. 'When they showed up with the package, we were very surprised to learn that it was going to be $189,' Nelson said. 'I was stunned. I was flabbergasted by the whole thing.' Baker-Taylor said he was shaking and very upset about the process. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The couple refused to pay the fees, which included government charges and a brokerage fee. UPS is now holding the package in Canada until the fees are paid. 'We were told verbally there's a duty, a tariff, and a brokerage fee,' Baker-Taylor said. 'It all comes to $189. The taxes seem silly to me. There's no purchase, it's not a sale, not an item being taxed. Brokerage? It's not a precious item coming over as a commodity, which I think is the reason for brokerage. We've only been explained these things verbally by a person across a counter so it's difficult to understand.' 2:07 Cross-border report shows how much less Canadians are spending in U.S. In a statement, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said it collects duty and taxes on personal (non-commercial) goods imported into Canada. Story continues below advertisement 'Under certain conditions, bequests of personal and household goods may be imported by residents of Canada as duty- and tax-free,' the statement read. 'At the time of importation, the importer must provide documentation to attest to the circumstances of the bequest. The documentation provided must adequately describe the goods being imported and identify the importer as a beneficiary of the estate.' CBSA said the prime document used for this purpose is a copy of the deceased person's will. If there is no will then a signed and dated statement from the donor, transferring ownership of the item, may be used. 'If importing goods by courier for personal use, the courier may account for the shipment and collect any applicable duties and taxes from the importer,' CBSA said. 'Couriers or customs brokers may also charge administrative fees for their services, and third-party fees such as these are not regulated by the Government of Canada.' Baker-Taylor does not have a will for his father because the ring was given to him while his dad was still alive. Nelson said it did not make sense to them to pay money to get something back that was already in their possession. 'Heirlooms get exchanged all the time,' she said. Story continues below advertisement The couple said they are sharing their story to make sure others do not get caught in the same loop. 'It's a bit of a process that I find unreasonable,' Baker-Taylor said, 'and I think there needs to be some serious changes.'
CBC
12 hours ago
- CBC
Border officers found 161 bricks of cocaine in a truck at the Ambassador Bridge: CBSA
A Richmond Hill truck driver has been charged after border agents found a 161 bricks of suspected cocaine in a commercial truck trying to enter Canada at the Ambassador Bridge, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) says. The agency says officers at the Windsor-Detroit bridge found 187.5 kilograms, worth about $23.4 million, stuffed into two suitcases and five garbage bags. This happened on May 23, 2025. Officers arrested the 55-year-old driver and transferred him to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He's charged with importing cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. "The ongoing efforts of our border services officers to intercept narcotics and weapons is to be commended," said Michael Prosia, regional director general of the CBSA's southern Ontario region, in a media release. The agency issued that media release Tuesday along with a link to a federal plan to strengthen border security and the immigration system.
CTV News
14 hours ago
- CTV News
$23M in cocaine seized at Ambassador Bridge
Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Ambassador Bridge intercepted about $23 million in suspected cocaine in Windsor, Ont. (Source: CBSA) Canada Border Services Agency officers at the Ambassador Bridge intercepted about $23 million in suspected cocaine concealed in the trailer of a commercial truck coming into Canada from the United States. On May 23, 2025, during a secondary examination of the trailer at the Windsor-Detroit crossing, CBSA officers say they discovered two suitcases and five garbage bags containing 161 bricks of suspected cocaine. The 187.5 kg of cocaine has an approximate value of $23.4 million. CBSA officers seized the drugs and arrested the driver, Kambiz Karandish, 55, of Richmond Hill, Ont., and transferred him and the suspected cocaine to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Karandish has been charged by the RCMP with Importation of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking. 'The ongoing efforts of our border services officers to intercept narcotics and weapons is to be commended. The CBSA is continually adapting to be in a position to stop criminals by disrupting their evolving smuggling and concealment attempts. We use all tools and intelligence at our disposal to stop narcotics from reaching our streets,' said Michael Prosia, regional director general for the CBSA Southern Ontario Region. The investigation is ongoing.
Global News
15 hours ago
- Global News
Cocaine found in commercial truck seized by border officials trying to enter Canada
The CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) say almost 190 kilograms of suspected cocaine was seized by border officials at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ont. On May 23, CBSA said border officers intercepted a commercial truck coming into Canada from the United States where 187.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine was found. In a secondary examination of the trailer, CBSA said two suitcases and five garbage backs were discovered — containing 161 bricks of suspected cocaine. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The value of the cocaine is estimated to be approximately $23.4 million, CBSA said. The drugs were seized and a 55-year-old driver from Richmond Hill, Ont. was arrested and transferred to the RCMP. CBSA said the driver was charged by the RCMP with importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Story continues below advertisement 'The CBSA is continually adapting to be in a position to stop criminals by disrupting their evolving smuggling and concealment attempts,' said Michael Prosia with CBSA. 'We use all tools and intelligence at our disposal to stop narcotics from reaching our streets.' Another 161 bricks of suspected cocaine was seized last month at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ont. Border agents said a commercial truck arrived from the United States and the bricks were contained in six boxes. A 27-year-old Brampton man was arrested in that case.
Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CBSA seizes 187.5 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge leading to criminal charges by the RCMP Français
WINDSOR, ON, July 22, 2025 /CNW/ - On May 23, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border services officers at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry intercepted 187.5 kg of suspected cocaine concealed in the trailer of a commercial truck coming into Canada from the United States. During a secondary examination of the trailer, CBSA officers discovered two suitcases and 5 garbage bags containing 161 bricks of suspected cocaine. The approximate value of the cocaine is $23.4 million. CBSA officers seized the drugs and arrested the driver, Kambiz Karandish, 55, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, and transferred him and the suspected cocaine to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Karandish has been charged by the RCMP with Importation of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The CBSA and the RCMP are committed to protecting our communities from harmful contraband and organized crime. The investigation is ongoing. Quotes "When CBSA intercepts an attempt to smuggle illegal drugs into Canada, they are acting as our first line of defence against organized crime and those who would profit from the illegal drug trade. In tandem with the RCMP, they are protecting communities throughout Canada and demonstrating to us all that keeping our borders secure is a national public safety priority." - The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety "The ongoing efforts of our border services officers to intercept narcotics and weapons is to be commended. The CBSA is continually adapting to be in a position to stop criminals by disrupting their evolving smuggling and concealment attempts. We use all tools and intelligence at our disposal to stop narcotics from reaching our streets." - Michael Prosia, Regional Director General, Southern Ontario Region, Canada Border Services Agency "The coordinated efforts of CBSA and the RCMP has once again kept a large quantity of dangerous drugs off the streets of Canadian communities. This successful seizure highlights the RCMP's ongoing commitment to disrupt and dismantle organized crime, and is a testament to the dedication and collaboration between our law enforcement partners." - Superintendent James Parr, Acting Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations, RCMP Central Region Quick Facts Canada is investing $1.3 billion to bolster security at the border and strengthen the immigration system, all while keeping Canadians safe. Information on the Border Plan is available here: The Government of Canada's Border Plan: significant investments to strengthen border security and our immigration system. Smuggling narcotics and other Customs Act contraventions may lead to prosecution in a court of law. For foreign nationals, this may mean removal from Canada and a ban on returning to Canada. For the latest narcotics statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency seizures. If you have information about suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Line at 1-888-502-9060.
