Two Americans are facing a number of charges after being stopped and inspected by border officials in the Yukon this past spring.

“On May 25, 2021, two United States residents who were seeking entry to transit through Canada were referred for secondary examination,” said a news release from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials.

“Border services officers conducted a search and seized firearms and firearm parts and detained food, plant and animal products outlined below.”

The items were:

• seven restricted firearms;

• one prohibited firearm;

• 15 prohibited magazines;

• three bobcat skins;

• one bear paw;

• two seal skin hats;

• seven pieces of whale baleen;

• two ivory tusks;

• two ivory ornaments;

• two sheep horns;

• 13 ivory pucks;

• one turkey talon;

• one bear skull; and

• one walrus skull.

“Most of the detained animal products are protected goods under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Appendix I – III,” the release said.

“CITES falls under Canada’s wildlife trade law – the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA).”

The traveller who claimed ownership of these goods has been charged with the following:

• s. 91(1) Criminal Code – one count of the unauthorized possession of a firearm;

• s. 91(2) Criminal Code – one count of the unauthorized possession of prohibited devices;

• s. 153(a) Customs Act – one count of making false statements; and

• s. 159(1) Customs Act – one count of smuggling.

In addition to the charges and having the prohibited items seized, the traveller was issued an $8,500 penalty by the CBSA for the release of the seized vehicle.  He appeared in court Tuesday.  

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) collected the wildlife items and issued two penalties, with a $1,200 fine, under the WAPPRIITA.

The location of the border crossing was not specified.