2024 Year in Review for Southern Ontario Region: CBSA Intercepts Over 3,000 Weapons and Firearms, Seizes Over 4 Tonnes of Illegal Drugs
Toronto, ON – December 9, 2024 – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) today released its 2024 year-end enforcement results for the Southern Ontario Region. The region, which includes the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara Falls, and Windsor, saw a significant increase in interceptions of weapons and firearms, as well as seizures of illegal drugs.
Weapons and Firearms
In 2024, the CBSA intercepted a total of 3,012 weapons and firearms at the region’s various ports of entry. This represents a 20% increase compared to 2023. The majority of the intercepted weapons were handguns, followed by rifles and shotguns.
“The CBSA is committed to keeping our communities safe from illegal weapons and firearms,” said Carly-Lyne Sabourin, Acting Regional Director General for the Southern Ontario Region. “These interceptions demonstrate the effectiveness of our border security measures and the dedication of our officers to protecting Canadians.”
Illegal Drugs
The CBSA also seized a total of 4.1 tonnes of illegal drugs in the Southern Ontario Region in 2024. This represents a 15% increase compared to 2023. The majority of the seized drugs were cocaine, followed by methamphetamine and heroin.
“The CBSA is playing a vital role in the fight against drug trafficking,” said Sabourin. “These seizures help prevent illegal drugs from reaching our communities and harming our citizens.”
Other Notable Interceptions
In addition to weapons and firearms, the CBSA also intercepted a variety of other contraband in the Southern Ontario Region in 2024, including:
- 150,000 counterfeit goods
- $1.2 million in undeclared currency
- 100,000 litres of illegal alcohol
- 50,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes
Enforcement Measures
The CBSA uses a variety of enforcement measures to combat smuggling and other cross-border crimes, including:
- Advanced screening technology
- Risk assessment profiling
- Intelligence-based operations
- Targeted enforcement programs
- Collaboration with other law enforcement agencies
Reporting Suspicious Activity
The CBSA encourages the public to report any suspicious activity or potential smuggling attempts to the Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.
Additional Information
For more information on the CBSA’s enforcement efforts in the Southern Ontario Region, please visit the CBSA website at www.cbsa.gc.ca.
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