RR customs given more power

The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) today announced the implementation of officer powers legislation at the Port of Rainy River effective April 27, 2002. The Canadian Law expands the power of arrest of Canadian custom officers beyond the Customs Act. Designated customs officers now have additional authority to arrest and detain individuals seeking entry into Canada who are found committing or having committed a Criminal Code offence.
Customs officers at the Port of Rainy River now have the power to arrest and detain individuals suspected of impaired driving, child abduction, or possession of stolen property, and individuals with outstanding Canadian arrest warrants. The expanded officer powers bridge the gap between the time a customs officer detects an offence and the time the police intervene.
Consultations have taken place with provincial policing authorities to ensure that protocols and operating procedures are in place for dealing with Criminal Code offences at the Rainy River border crossing.
Implementation of officer powers has been phased in at customs locations across Canada since 2000. Large, medium-sized, and small land border offices are represented as well as the four busiest international airports (Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, and Calgary). These locations represent more than 80% of traveller and commercial traffic entering Canada.
Expanding the powers of Canada’s customs officers forms part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to building safer communities.