Canada Customs seizes $85,000 undeclared by Akwesasne resident

Canadian authorities announced this week that border agents at Cornwall Island’s Canada Customs seized a large amount of undeclared cash from a local resident.

The 43-year-old Akwesasne, Quebec man attempted to cross the Canada Customs border and did not declare that he has was carrying more than $10,000 in cash. The border agent flagged the driver for a secondary inspection, requiring him to pull over and go inside.

Canada Border Services Agency agents used a dog to search the man’s vehicle. The dog reportedly sniffed out $79,000 in US currency. A short time later the agents discovered another $6,000 US in the vehicle.

The agents used the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act to seize the goods. The case was handed over to the RCMP for investigation.

Authorities could not release the driver’s name.

According to the RCMP, “Even though there are no restrictions on the amount of money that can be brought into or taken out of Canada, currency or other monetary instruments valued at CAN$10,000 or more must be reported at the border. These reporting requirements came into effect on January 6, 2003, under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. Money can be seized by the CBSA if a proper report is not made.”

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, which actively collects and investigates complaints from Akwesasne residents regarding the Canada Customs, had no comment on the incident.