Got in trouble for bringing health products into canada

[iwlc18 0]

Hi all, I am new to this forum and would like comments and advices from the experienced travelers here. My story is as follows (sorry is a bit long) and I have questions at the end. Thank you in advance.

I was bringing back some health products (body building) and on the way into Canada (from US) at Detroit/Windsor border. I declared my purchase as usual and I was pulled into secondary. I was later on arrested on the spot for smuggling illegal drugs (Steroid) into Canada. I was put into a cell waiting and the office had the standard statements read out to me as I was arrested and also called legal-aid. The officer later told me that the products were tested to contain amphetamine and this is what I was in trouble for.

After locked up for 3 hours, I was released. They never took fingerprints or photos. The only thing I signed was a document saying the drugs were seized and also my car was impounded. I paid the fine to get my car back right away.

At the end before I left, I asked for the status of the case and I was replied that, there is nothing criminal on me, only civil, and the penalty was the $1000 that I paid to get my car back. There will be a red flag on my profile. I did not ask what exactly the flag description was as I was too tired and shock (still am). I went back today trying to ask for information on and was declined the information.

Production in question: http://www.amazon.com/Muscletech-Products-Rapid-Release-Super-Concentrated-Testosterone/dp/B007JUVJWW

I have upload the ingredients as attachment.

Question 1: from you experience, was there ever a criminal case created for this?

Question 2: what possible flags might I have?

Question 3: should I appeal the seizure?

Question 4: is there anything that I can do to help the situation I am in? I am a frequent traveler and I can see a lot of trouble in the future for me.

Thank you all in advance for helping.

[Boiler 45,727]

Importing any scheduled drug, including schedule IV anabolic steroids in any quantity is illegal in Canada under Sectoin 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19). Act current to 2012-03-06 and last amended on 2011-06-23.

[iwlc18 0]

Importing any scheduled drug, including schedule IV anabolic steroids in any quantity is illegal in Canada under Sectoin 6(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (S.C. 1996, c. 19). Act current to 2012-03-06 and last amended on 2011-06-23.

i understand that i have broken the law. i am asking is there anything i can do to make the flag situation better?

[Lemonslice 4,915]

i understand that i have broken the law. i am asking is there anything i can do to make the flag situation better?

You can file an e-appeal online; it might help, or not: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/recourse-recours/menu-eng.html

Are you a Canadian citizen? If so, they might search you, but they have to let you in.

Otherwise, you might have become inadmissible:

Under Canada’s immigration law, if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada. In other words, you may be “criminally inadmissible.”

This includes both minor and serious crimes, such as:

• theft,
• assault,
• manslaughter,
• dangerous driving,
• driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and
• possession of or trafficking in drugs or controlled substances.

Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/conviction.asp

Edited January 8, 2016 by Boston~Montreal

[Boiler 45,727]

What would be the basis of an appeal?

Have you contacted a Canadian Lawyer?

[iwlc18 0]

You can file an e-appeal online; it might help, or not: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/recourse-recours/menu-eng.html

Are you a Canadian citizen? If so, they might search you, but they have to let you in.

Otherwise, you might have become inadmissible:

Source: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/inadmissibility/conviction.asp

i am a canadian citizen. "they" have to let you in meaning Canada have to let me in? yes i know i don't declined entry into canada, after all, it's only a flag on my profile, not a criminal of any sort. but i am more concerned trying to enter the states as i am a frequent traveler.

What would be the basis of an appeal?

Have you contacted a Canadian Lawyer?

i personally don't think i have anything for appeal. the ideal hope is for them to flag it something NOT relating to drugs. in my opinion, they knew that i didn't know the product had steroid in its formula, and i was honest up front declaring the products when i crossed. they could have just confiscated the products and tell me not to do it again and call it a day. but instead they decided to go this route.

i am seeing a friend tomorrow who just graduated from law school and had had flagging problem before, he also hired a lawyer to try to remove it. although his flag was for a US student VISA mishap and mine is a lot more serious depending on what they had flagged me as.

UPDATE:

i went to the CBSA yesterday trying to find out what they had flagged me under, but the officer refused to tell me. so i have filed a request at ATIP (Access to Information and Privacy). i read online that usually it takes 3 weeks or more to actually get a report back. i have 90 days for appeal. i should have enough time for a decision.

meanwhile, i am thinking to take my chances and cross to the states and back and ask the officers on the way. is this a good idea? but the worst case from this is having a declined entry to the states on record for my possible drug flag. any thoughts on this?

Edited January 8, 2016 by iwlc18

[Boiler 45,727]

Can you travel visa free to the US with your record?

[iwlc18 0]

Can you travel visa free to the US with your record?

yes, being a canadian citizen, we do not need visa for visiting usa.

[canadian_wife 1,823]

I've had flags on my case. I assume with yours you can expect to be searched for a while after crossing back into Canada.

The question that that Boiler was asking was....If you have a record and seized 'drugs' in Canada, will they let you cross into the US?" You must declare the arrest obviously.

Good luck

[La Souris 19]

yes, being a canadian citizen, we do not need visa for visiting usa.

http://canada.usembassy.gov/mobile//visas/visas/criminal-ineligibility.html - a "drug" flag might mean you'll have to ask permission. CBSA and CBP do share data.

[Boiler 45,727]

I know about 25% of those with theoretical access to the VWP which is sort of similar can not use it due to drug issues, arrests etc etc.

I assumed it is something similar with Canadians, yes you do not need a visa if you have a clean record.

[iwlc18 0]

I've had flags on my case. I assume with yours you can expect to be searched for a while after crossing back into Canada.

The question that that Boiler was asking was....If you have a record and seized 'drugs' in Canada, will they let you cross into the US?" You must declare the arrest obviously.

Good luck

I do NOT have a criminal record. i mentioned that i was NOT charged for anything.

and this is the very question that i am concerned, will they let me into the US with a flag (possible flag relating to drugs).

http://canada.usembassy.gov/mobile//visas/visas/criminal-ineligibility.html - a "drug" flag might mean you'll have to ask permission. CBSA and CBP do share data.

This is for those with criminal records. I do NOT have one.

I know about 25% of those with theoretical access to the VWP which is sort of similar can not use it due to drug issues, arrests etc etc.

I assumed it is something similar with Canadians, yes you do not need a visa if you have a clean record.

This is for those with criminal records. I do NOT have one.

i hope you guys know the difference between actually having a criminal record / police record / arrests / flag.....they are all somewhat independent of each other. flag is an alert on the profile. you can get a flag for anything if the officer believes extra caution needs to be taken with the profile.

Edited January 8, 2016 by iwlc18

[Boiler 45,727]

I was later on arrested on the spot for smuggling illegal drugs

I paid the fine to get my car back right away.

Getting into the US could be very tricky.

[La Souris 19]

I do NOT have a criminal record. i mentioned that i was NOT charged for anything.

and this is the very question that i am concerned, will they let me into the US with a flag (possible flag relating to drugs).

This is for those with criminal records. I do NOT have one.

This is for those with criminal records. I do NOT have one.

i hope you guys know the difference between actually having a criminal record / police record / arrests / flag.....they are all somewhat independent of each other. flag is an alert on the profile. you can get a flag for anything if the officer believes extra caution needs to be taken with the profile.

They might still refuse you entry, that's what I meant.

[Boiler 45,727]

Suspicion is enough for drugs.