A driver travelling from southern Ontario to Saskatchewan faces drug charges after he was apparently led astray by his GPS as it directed him to the International Bridge on May 24.
While the misdirection would normally be easily corrected, his vehicle was selected for secondary inspection by the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) after being turned back by US Customs, says a news release issued by the RCMP.
It was during this inspection that CBSA officers located suspected fentanyl in the trunk.
As a result, the driver was arrested and charged with:
• Possession of a controlled substance, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
• Export of a controlled substance, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
None of the allegations have been tested in court and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Full text of the news release follows:
A driver from southern Ontario who was not familiar with Sault Ste. Marie found himself in a precarious dilemma on the International Bridge. Now he finds himself in a precarious situation before an Ontario Court for alleged possession and export of a controlled substance.
Steven Greena was travelling from southern Ontario to Saskatchewan, when in the early hours of May 24, 2024, he found himself on the international bridge from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. He had not planned to cross the border, but his GPS had apparently plotted a shorter route south of Lake Superior.
After being sent back to Canada by US Customs, the border officer for the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) referred him for secondary inspection. Mr. Greena's vehicle was inspected by CBSA officers who found suspected fentanyl located in the trunk. Mr. Greena was arrested by members of the RCMP Sault Ste. Marie Border Integrity Team and charged with the following criminal offences:
• Possession of a controlled substance, contrary to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act; and
• Export of a controlled substance, contrary to Section 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The court date for Mr. Greena (57) is scheduled for July 8, 2024, at 9 a.m. via video.
"Our joint efforts with CBSA are taking drugs off the streets and providing safer communities for Canadians," said Cpl. Van Shafiei, A/NCO i/c Sault Ste. Marie Border Integrity.