Latest news with #CBSA
Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Killer's deportation hearing abruptly postponed
GTA grandfather and convicted killer Vincenzo (Jimmy) DeMaria was scheduled to take the witness stand to fight his deportation to Italy on Friday when his hearing was abruptly postponed over abuse of process accusations. DeMaria, 71, a former Mississauga financial services manager and baker, has been accused by Canadian authorities of laundering money for international organized criminals. DeMaria never got the chance to testify on Friday, after a dispute broke out over the use of secret recordings made by Italian police between himself and Italian visitor Vincenzo Muià in 2019, while DeMaria was in custody at Collins Bay Institution in Kingston. The secret recordings were made as Italian police investigated the slaying of a leader of the 'Ndrangheta, or Calabrian Mafia, in Italy. Italian police came to Canada in 2019 as they probed the murder of Muià's brother, Carmelo (Mino) Muià, in Italy. Things heated up at the online hearing on Friday when Andrej Rustja, a lawyer for the minister of public safety, said that the government will not longer be relying on those intercepted conversations in DeMaria's deportation appeal. For years, DeMaria's lawyers have called the surveillance an example of 'foreign interference' which breaches Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and amounts to abuse of process. They should not be admissible in a Canadian legal proceeding, DeMaria's lawyers argued. On Friday, they argued that the surprise announcement that the government would no longer be relying on the intercepted conversations disrupted their defence plans and amounted to abuse of process. The hearing has been postponed to Oct. 20. DeMaria moved to Canada with his family from Siderno, Italy in 1955 but never applied for citizenship. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has been seeking his deportation for years, alleging he is tightly connected to the 'Ndrangheta, or Calabrian Mafia, which authorities say has global scope. DeMaria served eight years in prison in Canada after he was convicted of second-degree murder for a 1981 shooting, which police said was over a $2,000 drug debt, police say. DeMaria's parole conditions bar his association with organized crime figures. He was detained in Collins Bay penitentiary after he was ordered deported in April 2018. He was released in 2020 over health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Epoch Times
a day ago
- Epoch Times
More Than $1 Million Worth of Cannabis Seized at Calgary Airport Over Past Year, Border Agency Says
Canadian border officials have seized a total of more than 160 kilograms of cannabis at the Calgary International Airport and Calgary Commercial Operations over the past year, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) said. The drugs' street value was estimated at $1.2 million, CBSA said, adding most of the cannabis seized was heading out of the country.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Canada Border Services Agency intercepting more cannabis at Calgary International Airport
Cannabis may be legal in Canada, but there's still an illegal market overseas. Over the past year the CBSA has seized more than 160 kilograms of cannabis at the Calgary International Airport, much of it destined for the United Kingdom.
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
More than $20 million worth of suspected cocaine seized at Ambassador Bridge, authorities say
An Ontario, Canada, man was charged after Canadian Border Services Agency officers seized more than $20 million worth of suspected cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge two months ago. Kambiz Karandish, 55, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, was charged by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with importation of cocaine and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. "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," said Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Public Safety, in a statement. "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." According to a news release on Wednesday, border officers were at the bridge's port of entry on May 23 when they found 187.5 kilograms of drugs during a search of a commercial truck that was attempting to cross into Canada from the United States. Authorities say a secondary search uncovered two suitcases and five garbage bags containing 161 bricks of the alleged cocaine. The drugs were estimated to be about $23.4 million in value. "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," aid Michael Prosia, regional director generalof the agency's Southern Ontario region.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
$1M of cannabis seized at Calgary International Airport over the last year: CBSA
More than $1.2 million-worth of cannabis has been seized at the Calgary International Airport over the last year, according to Canadian Boarder Services. (CBSA handout) More than $1.2 million-worth of cannabis has been seized at the Calgary International Airport over the last year, according to Canadian Boarder Services (CBSA). That's more than 160 kilograms (352 pounds) of the drug. The CBSA says most of the cannabis seized was destined for export. That includes 109 kg (240 lbs) intercepted in four separate instances where the drugs were found to be vacuum-sealed packages within suitcases destined for the United Kingdom. The CBSA said in each case, the travellers involved were arrested. Other highlights include the seizure of 12 kg (27 lbs) of cannabis in an otherwise empty suitcase on July 12, 18 kg (40 lbs) of cannabis in the suitcase of a traveller from Hong Kong on May 13, 32 kg (71 lbs) of cannabis from a Canadian citizen on a stopover from Vancouver on Oct. 27 and 48 kg (106 lbs) of cannabis concealed in bath towels within two suitcases of a Canadian citizen on Aug. 31. In Canada, it is illegal to import or export cannabis without a valid permit issued by the federal government.
