More than $227K in American cash smuggled at Niagara border leads to guilty plea for Brampton man: RCMP

A Brampton man detained for suspicion of smuggling has admitted to illegally bringing more than $227,000 in American currency into Canada at a Niagara border crossing.

The discovery was in early October 2023, when two travellers arrived at the Canada-U.S. border crossing at the Queenston Bridge in Niagara-on-the-Lake, says the Canadian Border Services Agency.

Both travellers told border agents that they had less than $10,000 cash on them to declare, but a secondary search of the car revealed some $227,453 USD concealed in the vehicle.

Agents seized the currency under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act and held both occupants for suspicion of smuggling under the Customs Act.

At the time of the seizure the cash had a Canadian value of more than $312,200, the CBSA says. The case was then handed over to investigators with the RCMP who say the cash belonged to the passenger.

Chandrakant Patel, 56, of Brampton, was arrested and charged with fail to declare currency greater than $10,000.00. He pleaded guilty to the charge in September, the CBSA says.

“Stopping currency obtained through proceeds of crime from crossing borders is part of the commitment of the Canada Border Services Agency to keep our communities safe,” said CBSA Regional Director Christine Durocher. “This seizure and investigation demonstrates the consequences for smugglers, and those perpetuating the cycle of organized crime.”

Anyone with information related to smuggling, drug importation, or trafficking contact the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or the confidential CBSA Border Watch toll-free line at 1-888-502-9060.

Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca. When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.