Most people arrested at the Canadian border crossing in Aldergrove were busted for smuggling or driving while impaired, based on a review of newly-released numbers that show a jump in arrests at the Aldergrove border crossing, since COVID restrictions were lifted.
In response to a Langley Advance Times query, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) released stats that showed a 50 per cent increase in arrests at the Aldergrove crossing between 2022 and 2023, up from 16 to 24. Non-commercial travel crossings rose slightly less during the same period, 46 per cent, from 487,00 to 715,000.
The most arrests at the Aldergrove crossing in a single month, eight, were recorded in July 2023.
CBSA, citing privacy regulations, was unable to provide a breakdown of alleged offences specifically for the Aldergrove port of entry, but did provide percentages for B.C. border crossing generally.
Those show most arrests, more than 50 per cent, were for smuggling, while more than 30 per cent were for impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol, and 10 percent were people trying to cross the border with outstanding arrest warrants.
Other charges were laid for a variety of offences that included failing to declare goods, and refusing to comply with or obstruct a peace officer.
Post-pandemic arrests at the two busiest B.C. border crossing were up about 20 per cent, with Pacific Highway arrests rising from 151 to 183, and Douglas increasing from 115 to 136.
Figures for all of Canada show CBSA made more than 35,600 drug seizures in 2023 compared to 23,000 in 2022, an increase of 55 per cent; seized more than 13,800 weapons and firearms, up 75 per cent, and more than 50,800 kg of drugs, narcotics and chemicals, a 35 per cent increase.
CBSA President Erin O’Gorman, president of the Canada Border Services Agency said “every single day, the [agency] welcomes travellers and processes goods, supports our immigration system, and stops illegal guns and deadly drugs from entering the country. As we celebrate CBSA’s 20th anniversary, I want to thank border services officers and all employees across the country and around the world for their steadfast commitment to keeping our communities safe and our economy strong.”
READ ALSO: U.S. plans for Aldergrove border crossing include 24-7 operation
Currently, the Canadian and U.S. Aldergrove crossings are operated for 16 hours a day, from 8 a.m. to midnight, but there are plans by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to modernize and expand the U.S. side of the Aldergrove-Lynden border crossing that could allow 24-hour operation.
READ ALSO: Border blues: Chamber gives mixed review to planned expansion of Aldergrove crossing
