The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne is providing the following information to the community regarding the CBSA Port of Entry in Cornwall. For official CBSA notifications visit their website at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca .

•Enforcement Team – MCA’s Community Advocate was informed by CBSA that an “Enforcement Team” has been assigned to the Cornwall port. This team conducts randomized secondary searches and the randomization applies to all traffic, including those vehicles coming from Kawehno:ke. This has resulted in an increase in secondary inspections and an increase in inspections of traffic from Kawehno:ke.

•Firearms - Anyone traveling through the Port-of-Entry must declare all firearms and weapons. You must also have proper documentation for carrying those firearms or weapons. If you fail to report the items or fail to have proper documentation as the owner, CBSA will seize them. Weapons and devices that are prohibited from entering Canada altogether include automatic knives, mace or pepper spray designed for human use, tasers and stun guns shorter than 480mm, brass knuckles, silencers, and replica weapons. For a complete listing of banned items and items with restrictions contact CBSA directly or visit http://www.cbsa.gc.ca .

•New BSO’s - There are four new border service officers at CBSA’s Cornwall port who may not be familiar with the cultural and jurisdictional characteristics of Akwesasne. Community members should respond with short, direct responses when reporting.

Any community member encountering issues at the CBSA Port of Entry should contact MCA’s Community Advocate Wesley Benedict at 613-575-2250 Ext. 1031(office) or 613-551-6999 / 613-551-2573 (mobile).