Border guards at the Pacific Highway and Douglas crossings have been busy over the last couple weeks with situations ranging from impaired drivers and drug charges to an unclaimed firearm and a medical emergency.

A Mexican citizen looking to visit a cousin in Vancouver via bus was returned to the U.S. from the Pacific Highway crossing July 5 after it was found the subject didn’t have a return ticket, proof of funds, a fixed address or any supporting documentation for employment.

On July 4, investigation into a vehicle that had been stopped by Canadian Border Services Agency officials for driving north in a southbound lane led to the seizure of 400 grams of suspected marijuana and charges of impaired driving and possession for purpose of trafficking. Surrey RCMP were called in and issued a Promise to Appear.

On the same day, a man who made a wrong turn and got lost, claiming to be trying to find a friend’s house, was returned to the U.S. after the discovery he had numerous charges in the U.S. for theft and burglary, as well as a warrant for his arrest in California.

Also July 4, a U.S. resident who drove overnight from Sacramento, Calif. to attend a cousin’s engagement party for one night was returned to the U.S. after checks indicated a 2007 charge in California, for which the subject was still on probation.

On July 3, a 13-year-old boy who was vomiting, covered in facial abrasions and appeared to be suffering memory loss from a possible concussion was taken to Peace Arch Hospital by ambulance.

Officers called 9-1-1 after a family of three in a vehicle with a B.C. license plate requested medical assistance for the boy – the family’s son’s friend – who had been involved in a bicycle accident in Birch Bay, Wash.

The driver of the car and his wife were in constant contact with the parents of the injured boy, and were to meet at the hospital.

Emergency crews responded to the scene, and placed the boy in a cervical collar and spinal board for transport.

At the Douglas border crossing July 5, a rifle was seized for non-report after a subject travelling to Alaska – who failed to declare firearms in primary inspection – stated in secondary inspection there was a gun under the rear seat.

The same day, a Canadian male was taken to White Rock RCMP after appearing disoriented when stopped at the booth.

The driver – who was unsteady on his feet, slurred his speech and had a strong smell of liquor on his breath – was detained for investigation of impaired driving, handcuffed and escorted to cells.

He has multiple convictions, including on for impaired driving.

Also July 5, four people were returned to the U.S., one of whom was seeking entry to visit Surrey for two nights and had been convicted of theft, PC battery and threatening/terrorizing spouse.

Another, a U.S. male, had a 1991 conviction of fraud over $100,000. He was advised in 2001 to apply for rehabilitation at the Canadian consulate, and failed to follow through.

The third was a U.S. man towing a vehicle up for sale, who was observed trying to handoff the vehicle to Canadians before the primary inspection line and walking back.

The man was intercepted and questioned. He had a strong smell of liquor on his breath and admitted to driving, before blowing a warning level on a breathalyzer.

The man admitted to not wanting to report because he is a convicted felon.

Records show a 2000 robbery/burglary conviction, as well as pointing a firearm, marijuana possession, negligent driving and resisting arrest.

He was returned to the U.S., and his wife drove the vehicle back.

Vehicle importation was adjourned until transport could be arranged for the vehicle, which was unsafe to tow.

The fourth was a male attempting to enter Canada for a one-week trip in “Princeville” to visit friends.

Driving his work vehicle complete with tools, he claimed he owned a roofing company but was not going to work. Examination of the vehicle revealed an itemized list of building supplies, along with a phone number for a Canadian roofing supply company.

When questioned, the man claimed he was only going to be “supervising” his friend’s work.

He was counselled on his inadmissibility and returned to the U.S.