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News Release
National 2008
Scarborough company fined for improperly declaring shipment
Mississauga, Ontario, August 18, 2008 — The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that a Scarborough company, JA-East International Ltd., was fined $15,000 for contravening the Customs Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
On July 18, 2008, JA-East International Ltd. was found guilty by the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. The company was fined $7,500 for making false statements under the Customs Act and another $7,500 for failing to comply with the Meat Inspection Act. The Court ordered that the fine be paid within 18 months.
“This ruling demonstrates the successful partnerships the Canada Border Services Agency has cultivated with other government departments,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. “This is another example of how the Government of Canada is working diligently to protect our communities.”
An investigation revealed that a shipment received on September 21, 2007, was not properly declared to the CBSA. JA-East International Ltd. made false statements to the CBSA when it failed to report a large amount of clothing, purses and accessories, as well as 250 kilograms of pork. JA-East International Ltd. also failed to provide proof that the source country of the meat (China) had an approved inspection system for meat products.
The meat was handed over to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) at the first point of entry into Canada that it reached, and was subsequently destroyed. With the creation of the CBSA in December 2003, the prosecution of certain offences related to the importation of food, plants and animals became the shared responsibility of the CBSA and the CFIA.
The CBSA conducts criminal investigations of businesses and individuals when there are indications of deliberate non-compliance. Smuggling, making false statements and other related infractions can lead to criminal prosecution.
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For media information:
Patrizia Giolti
Communications Manager
Canada Border Services Agency
905-803-5218
