Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
Interesting

Lax Border Checks Allow Illegal Drugs To Slip Undetected Out Of Canada: Auditor

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Feb, 2016 11:43 AM
    OTTAWA — The Canada Border Services Agency is not keeping a close enough eye on exports, causing high-risk shipments — including illegal drugs and stolen cars — to leave the country undetected, auditor general Michael Ferguson says.
     
    In his latest series of reports examining the efficiencies and failings of various government departments, the federal watchdog finds the border agency is not reviewing all export declarations and not examining many shipments flagged by its own internal system — or by warnings from other departments.
     
    Up to 20 per cent of high-risk exports identified by the agency's centralized targeting units were allowed to pass without inspection.
     
    Much of the breakdown relates to staff levels; in some locations, inspections cease entirely if a single staff member goes away on vacation.
     
    "We also found that the agency did not always conduct targeting and examinations during all hours and days when export shipments move," the audit said. "This meant that non-compliant shipments were exported undetected."
     
    The audit found that when the agency did detain shipments, it was holding on to legitimate goods far too long and — in some cases — costing businesses their contracts.
     
    Also, Ferguson found that while goods valued under $2,000 do not require a permit, they can be subject to random inspection, but often are not because of a shortage of staff.
     
     
    Small, undeclared parcels are a popular means for drug traffickers to get their illicit products out of the country, but according to Ferguson's report, huntng for those shipments is not a priority under the current system.
     
    "The agency had identified illegal drugs being exported out of Canada as a high-risk area; it made several drug seizures during the period of our audit," said the report, tabled Tuesday in Parliament. 
     
    "But agency officials told us that the limits on their examination authorities reduced their effectiveness in preventing the export of illegal drugs. This limited authority, together with limited resources, resulted in the agency’s not setting export of illegal drugs as an examination priority."
     
    Ferguson said the agency receives a mish-mash of customs declarations and that the whole system should be electronic.
     
    In 2014, the agency received data on about 787,500 electronic forms declarations submitted through the Canadian Automated Export Declaration (CAED) system — an outdated network that was due to be replaced years ago. Additionally, it received at least 44,000 paper declarations.
     
    Exporters intend on evading the inspection system seem to know that all they have to do in order to slip past is to file the paperwork right at the deadline. Declarations must be submitted at least two hours before shipments are loaded on planes and at least 48 hours before loading onto ships.
     
     
     "We were told that about one third of targets were not examined because the agency’s local office received information about the targets too late—that is, after the shipments had already left or been loaded on planes and ships," said the audit.

    MORE Interesting ARTICLES

    Nova Scotia School Board Bans Dances For Middle Schoolers, Move Draws Criticism

    Nova Scotia School Board Bans Dances For Middle Schoolers, Move Draws Criticism
    The Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board says its administration made the decision after moving from a junior high to middle school grade configuration this school year.

    Nova Scotia School Board Bans Dances For Middle Schoolers, Move Draws Criticism

    NASA Confirms Salt Water Flows On Mars, Life Next?

    NASA Confirms Salt Water Flows On Mars, Life Next?
    A strong evidence for seasonal flows of liquid salty water has been detected, scientists reported on Monday -- a hint towards a full-fledged life that may have been sustained on Mars in the past.

    NASA Confirms Salt Water Flows On Mars, Life Next?

    You Will Snap Over 25,000 Selfies In Your Lifetime!

    If you belong to the millennials' club -- those born after 1980s - and continue your love with selfies till you grow old, you will have a collection of over 25,000 selfies during your lifetime, an interesting research has revealed.

    You Will Snap Over 25,000 Selfies In Your Lifetime!

    One Of World's Oldest Quran Manuscripts On Display In Britain

    One Of World's Oldest Quran Manuscripts On Display In Britain
    Britain's University of Birmingham will put on display next month one of the world's oldest Quran manuscripts, which has been radiocarbon dated to the period between AD 568 and 645 with 95.4 percent accuracy.

    One Of World's Oldest Quran Manuscripts On Display In Britain

    London Has Better Indian Food Than Delhi: Indian-Origin Chef Vivek Singh

    London Has Better Indian Food Than Delhi: Indian-Origin Chef Vivek Singh
    London restaurants serve better and innovative Indian cuisine than in Delhi, says Indian-origin chef Vivek Singh, adding London deserved to be called the world's culinary capital.

    London Has Better Indian Food Than Delhi: Indian-Origin Chef Vivek Singh

    Indian-American Nurse Hansmattie Singh Arrested In US For Assaulting Dementia Patient

    Indian-American Nurse Hansmattie Singh Arrested In US For Assaulting Dementia Patient
    Hansmattie Singh, 47, who works for Clermont Heath and Rehab, was accused of slapping the woman that left her with a bloody scratch

    Indian-American Nurse Hansmattie Singh Arrested In US For Assaulting Dementia Patient