Close X
Friday, November 1, 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

    Learn second language early for super brain

    Learn second language early for super brain
    Researchers from University of Kent's school of psychology analysed brain scans from 20 people aged 30 who lived in Britain for at least 13 months...

    Learn second language early for super brain

    Zebra's stripes function like air coolers

    Zebra's stripes function like air coolers
    The distinctive monochrome fur pattern in zebras keep the animals cool under the hot African sun, shows a recent study...

    Zebra's stripes function like air coolers

    How To Dine A La Royalty

    How To Dine A La Royalty
    What's the difference between the salad fork and the dinner fork? If you're one of those who gets confused at a formal dinner, just remember a few simple rules and you'll be sorted to enjoy your meal without thinking much.

    How To Dine A La Royalty

    Tweets can predict a TV show's success

    Tweets can predict a TV show's success
    Twitter activity and data regarding TV programmes can help networks and ad agencies make superior, data-driven advertising and programme marketing...

    Tweets can predict a TV show's success

    'Sixth sense' helps fish spot water flows

    'Sixth sense' helps fish spot water flows
    The findings could help resolve a long-standing mystery about how these aquatic creatures respond to their environment, the researchers noted...

    'Sixth sense' helps fish spot water flows

    $1m prize set on potion to extend human life beyond 120

    $1m prize set on potion to extend human life beyond 120
    A Silicon Valley entrepreneur has launched a $1 million prize for the scientists to find the elixir of life that can extend life beyond age 120 - the theoretical maximum human lifespan...

    $1m prize set on potion to extend human life beyond 120